title: Phentolamine inhibits the pacemaker activity of mouse interstitial cells of Cajal by activating ATP-sensitive K+ channels.
abstract: The aim of this study was to clarify if phentolamine has proven effects on the pacemaker activities of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) from the mouse small intestine involving the ATPsensitive K(+) channels and adrenergic receptor. The actions of phentolamine on pacemaker activities were investigated using whole-cell patch-clamp technique and intracellular Ca(2+) analysis at 30 degrees C in cultured mouse intestinal ICC. ICC generated spontaneous pacemaker currents at a holding potential of -70 mV. Treatment with phentolamine reduced the frequency and amplitude of the pacemaker currents and increased the resting outward currents. Moreover, under current clamping (I = 0), phentolamine hyperpolarized the ICC membrane and decreased the amplitude of the pacemaker potentials. We also observed that phentolamine inhibited spontaneous [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations in ICC. The alpha-adrenergic drugs prazosin, yohimbine, methoxamine, and clonidine had no effect on ICC intestinal pacemaker activity and did not block phentolamine-induced effects. Phentolamine-induced effects on the pacemaker currents and the pacemaker potentials were significantly inhibited by ATP sensitive K(+) channel blocker glibenclamide, but not by TEA, apamin, or 4-aminopyridine. In addition, the NO synthase inhibitor, L-NAME and the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ODQ were incapable of blocking the phentolamine-induced effects. These results demonstrate that phentolamine regulates the pacemaker activity of ICC via ATP-sensitive K(+) channel activation. Phentolamine could act through an adrenergic receptor- and also through NO-independent mechanism that involves intracellular Ca(2+) signaling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, 501-759, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Whan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Sang Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jin Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seok
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Cheol Ho
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yeum
authors.forename: Hee Wook
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Wie
authors.forename: Jae Myeong
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Insuk
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: Jae Yeoul
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jun
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000187:drug effects*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D056885:Interstitial Cells of Cajal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D054086:KATP Channels / Q000819:agonists* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D054086:KATP Channels; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase; D011188:Potassium; D010646:Phentolamine