title: Effects of some divalent cations on nitrergic relaxations in the mouse corpus cavernosum.
abstract: Acute effects of some divalent cations (Cd2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Mn2+ and Sn2+) were investigated on neurogenic and endothelium-dependent relaxations in the isolated mouse corpus cavernosum. Neither neurogenic nor endothelium-dependent relaxation was affected by cations at the concentrations used (up to 100 microM), except Cd2+. Although Cd2+ (20 and 40 microM) did not cause any significant alteration in the acetylcholine- (ACh) or sodium nitroprusside- (SNP) induced relaxation, it inhibited electrical field stimulation- (EFS) produced relaxation significantly. Zn2+ and selenium could not reverse this inhibitory action. Cd2+ did block the EFS-evoked guanethidine-sensitive contraction in the presence of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine. Elevation of external Ca2+ content significantly reduced the inhibitions due to Cd2+ on the EFS-induced relaxation and on the EFS-evoked guanethidine-sensitive contraction. In the Ca2+-omitted medium, EFS-induced relaxation disappeared, while acetylcholine-elicited relaxation resisted. Verapamil was ineffective on the relaxation produced by EFS or acetylcholine. However, it significantly diminished phenylephrine-induced contractions. These findings suggest that unlike other cations at the concentrations used in the present study, Cd2+ may have an effect on an external Ca2+-dependent mechanism at the neuronal level, and this effect may be responsible for its acute inhibitory action on the neurogenic relaxation in the mouse corpus cavernosum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: P U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Ertug
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Büyükafsar
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Kumcu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Göçmen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seçilmis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Singirik
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dikmen
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baysal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002413:Cations, Divalent / Q000633:toxicity*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D026602:Nitrergic Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D002413:Cations, Divalent; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002118:Calcium