Catecholamines inhibit neuronal activity in the glossopharyngeal-vagal motor complex of the Japanese eel: significance for controlling swallowing water.
To clarify neuronal networks controlling swallowing water, inhibitory neurotransmitters were searched on the glossopharyngeal-vagal motor complex (GVC) of the medulla oblongata (MO), which is proposed as a motor nucleus controlling swallowing. Spontaneous firing (20-30 Hz) in the GVC was inhibited by adrenaline (AD), noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA). The inhibitory effects of these catecholamines (CAs) were dose-dependent, and the effects of AD and NA were completely blocked by phenoxybenzamine or yohimbine, indicating that at least these two CAs act on the same receptor, presumably on alpha(2)-adrenoceptor. Even after blocking the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor with yohimbine, the inhibitory effect of DA still remained, indicating separate action of DA from AD or NA. Although DA receptor type was not determined in the present study, these results suggest existence of CA receptors in the GVC neurons. Almost 70% GVC neurons were inhibited by CAs. The CA-sensitive neurons were specifically restricted in the middle part of the GVC area. There were many tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive somata and fibers in the eel MO. Among these TH-immunoreactive nuclei, the area postrema (AP) and the commissural nucleus of Cajal (NCC) appeared to project to the GVC morphologically. Significance of the catecholaminergic inhibition in the GVC activity is discussed in relation to controlling swallowing water.
Laboratory of Integrative Physiology, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi, Hiroshima, Japan.
Sunao
S
Ito
Takao
T
Mukuda
Masaaki
M
Ando
D000811:Anguilla / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003679:Deglutition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005930:Glossopharyngeal Nerve / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014867:Water
D002395:Catecholamines; D014867:Water; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine