Actions of dipyridamole on endogenous and exogenous noradrenaline in the dog mesenteric vein.

1. In the isolated mesenteric vein of the dog, dipyridamole inhibited both the excitatory junction potential (e.j.

ATP activates cationic currents and modulates the calcium current through GTP-binding protein in rabbit portal vein.

1. Effects of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) on ionic currents of dispersed smooth muscle cells of the rabbit portal vein were investigated using the voltage-clamp procedure. 2.

Properties of sympathetic neuromuscular transmission and smooth muscle cell membranes in vascular beds.

In vascular smooth muscle tissues, the cycle of contraction-relaxation is mainly regulated by the cytosolic Ca, and many other factors, such as substances released from endothelial cells and perivascular nerve terminals (mainly sympathetic nerves). In this article, we introduce regional differences in specific features of ionic channels in vascular smooth muscle membranes (mainly on features of Ca, Na and K channels) in relation to mobilization of the cytosolic Ca. In many vascular tissues, neurotransmitters released from sympathetic nerve terminals activate post-junctional receptors, and subsequently modify ion channels (receptor-activated cation channel and voltage-dependent Ca channel), whereas in some tissues, ionic channels are not modified by receptor activations (pharmaco-mechanical coupling).

Mechanical and electrical properties of smooth muscle cells and their regulations by endothelium-derived factors in the guinea pig coronary artery.

Effects of high K+, acetylcholine (ACh), 9,11-epithio-11,12-methanothromboxane A2 (STA2), thrombin and endothelin were investigated on smooth muscles of the guinea pig coronary artery in intact and endothelium-denuded tissues. In intact tissues, ACh transiently inhibited but ATP produced maintained inhibition of the STA2-induced contraction. However, in the endothelium-denuded tissue, ACh produced contraction and ATP inhibited the STA2-induced contraction.

Suppressive effects of intracellular glutathione on hydroxyl radical production induced by tumor necrosis factor.

Protective effects of intracellular glutathione (GSH) against the cytotoxicity of human recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were investigated. Three tumor cell lines (L-M, B-16, HeLa) were used as target cells. Exposure of these cells to buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) or diethyl maleate (DEM) resulted in the depletion of intracellular GSH content to 5.

Pinacidil inhibits neuromuscular transmission indirectly in the guinea-pig and rabbit mesenteric arteries.

1. Effects of pinacidil were investigated on neuromuscular transmission in smooth muscle tissues of the rabbit and guinea-pig mesenteric arteries by both electrophysiological procedures and a bioassay of noradrenaline (NA) outflows. 2.

Dual action of FRC8653, a novel dihydropyridine derivative, on the Ba2+ current recorded from the rabbit basilar artery.

Actions of FRC8653 on the macroscopic and unitary Ba2+ currents were studied using the rabbit basilar artery. Application of (+/-)-FRC8653 (less than 1 microM) increased the amplitude of the inward current when depolarization pulses more negative than -10 mV were applied but inhibited it when depolarization was more positive than 0 mV (in each case from a holding potential of -80 mV). At a holding potential of -40 mV, (+/-)-FRC8653 (greater than 0.

Roles of protein kinase C on the mechanical activity of vascular smooth muscles.

We investigated the role of protein kinase C in the mechanical responses evoked by high K or by acetylcholine (ACh) in intact vascular smooth muscle tissues, and by Ca in skinned vascular smooth muscle tissues. To activate protein kinase C, the phorbol ester 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a potent tumor promoter, or 1,2-diolein, plus phosphatidylserine (PS) was used. TPA enhanced or reduced the amplitude of the contraction evoked by increased concentrations of K below 39 mmol/L or over 90 mmol/L, respectively, but consistently enhanced the resting tension at any given concentration of high K.

Electron microscopic observation of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity in the organ of Corti of the rat.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactive (CGRP-IR) nerve terminals in the organ of Corti of rats were studied by light and electron microscopy. Surface preparation of the organ of Corti were immunostained using anti-CGRP antiserum for avidin-biotin immunohistochemistry. Dense CGRP-IR fiber bundles were observed by light microscopy in the inner spiral bundles, tunnel spiral bundles and outer spiral bundles.

Endothelin augments unitary calcium channel currents on the smooth muscle cell membrane of guinea-pig portal vein.

1. The effects of endothelin (ET) on the Ca2+ channel current in smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig portal vein were investigated using the patch-clamp technique with whole-cell and cell-attached configurations. 2.

Some electrical properties of human pregnant myometrium.

Membrane properties of the human pregnant myometrium were investigated with the conventional microelectrode and patch clamp methods. The majority of preparations produced spontaneous action potentials at a very low frequency, and action potentials were inhibited in sodium-deficient or calcium-free solutions. With the patch clamp technique with 120 mmol/L cesium-20 mmol/L tetraethylammonium in the pipette, the inward current was evoked by a depolarizing pulse above -40 mV from a holding potential of -60 mV and maximum amplitude was obtained at 0 mV.

Inhibitory actions of diltiazem and its derivative, TA3090 on the Ba-current recorded from smooth muscle cells of the rabbit mesenteric artery.

The effects of diltiazem and its derivative, TA3090 on the Ba-induced inward current were investigated using dispersed smooth muscle cells of the rabbit mesenteric artery. Diltiazem and TA3090 inhibited the inward current, in a concentration-dependent manner, and TA3090 was more potent than diltiazem (IC50 for diltiazem was 300 mumol/l and for TA3090, 30 mumol/l). The inward current completely recovered from the inhibitory actions of diltiazem (100 mumol/l) after its removal at holding potentials of -60 and -40 mV, though complete recovery did not occur after TA3090 (1-100 mumol/l).

The influence of thyroid states upon responses of the rat aorta to catecholamines.

1. Mechanical responses to various stimulants and the distribution of adrenoceptor subtypes were investigated in smooth muscle cells of the rat aorta in eu- (control), hyper- and hypo-thyroid states. 2.

Inhibitory action of alpha-human atrial natriuretic peptide on noradrenaline-induced synthesis of myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in the smooth muscle cells of rabbit aorta.

1. Interactions between the synthesis of myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in the smooth muscle cells of the rabbit aorta were investigated. 2.

Mechanisms of endothelin-induced augmentation of the electrical and mechanical activity in rat portal vein.

Actions of porcine endothelin (ET) on the electrical and mechanical activity of the rat portal vein were investigated by means of the intracellular microelectrode and isometric tension recording techniques, ET (greater than 0.1 nM) enhanced the amplitude and frequency of the spontaneous contractions which ceased in the presence of 100 nM dihydropyridine derivatives (nifedipine or nicardipine). ET (0.

Transient expression of somatostatin mRNA in the auditory system of neonatal rat.

Postnatal changes of preprosomatostatin mRNA expression in the rat auditory system were examined using in situ hybridization histochemical techniques. It was found that during postnatal days 1 and 2 most of the neurons in the dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei, and large numbers of neurons in the inferior colliculus, paralemniscal nucleus, and lateral lemniscal nucleus, expressed somatostatin mRNA with a strong intensity. During postnatal development a marked decrease in the number and intensity of neurons expressing somatostatin mRNA was seen.

Actions of cromakalim on ionic currents recorded from single smooth muscle cells of the rat portal vein.

The effects of cromakalim (BRL34915), a novel K channel opener, on ionic currents in dispersed smooth muscle cells of the rat portal vein were investigated. Application of cromakalim (greater than 3 microM) generated an outward current, the reversal potential of which (-79 mV) was almost the same as the theoretical K equilibrium potential (-80 mV) under the experimental conditions used. When the Ca in the physiological salt solution (PSS) was replaced with Mn, the cromakalim-induced outward current was inhibited markedly.

Muscarine induces two distinct current responses in adrenal chromaffin cells of the guinea-pig.

Muscarine-induced membrane responses were studied in dissociated chromaffin cells of the guinea-pig adrenal medulla, using the whole-cell version of the patch-clamp technique. Bath application of muscarine (1-10 microM) produced two distinct current responses at a holding potential of -40 mV. One is an inward current associated with an increase in current noise.

Glucocorticoids inhibit acetylcholine-induced current in chromaffin cells.

The effects of dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, on membrane excitability and on the acetylcholine (ACh)-induced inward current (IACh) were studied in dispersed guinea pig adrenal medullary cells by using the whole cell version of the patch-clamp technique. Bath application of 10 microM dexamethasone had no effect on the resting membrane conductance or voltage-gated Na+, Ca2+, or K+ channels, whereas it reversibly inhibited the IACh at a holding potential of -70 mV. Intracellular application of dexamethasone through the patch electrode did not modify the IACh.