Ca2+ channel blockers interact with alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in rabbit ileum.

An interaction between Ca2+ channel blockers and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors has been demonstrated in rabbit ileum by studying the effect of clonidine on active electrolyte transport, under short-circuited conditions, in the presence and absence of several Ca2+ channel blocking agents. Clonidine, verapamil, diltiazem, cadmium, and nitrendipine all decrease short-circuit current and stimulate NaCl absorption to different extents with clonidine having the largest effect. Exposure to verapamil, diltiazem, and cadmium inhibited the effects of clonidine on transport, whereas nitrendipine had no such effect.

Effects of calcium antagonist TMB-8 on active Na and Cl transport in rabbit ileum.

The effects of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl ester (TMB-8), an agent that traps calcium within intracellular stores, were studied on active electrolyte transport in rabbit ileum under basal conditions and after altering transport by increasing the intracellular cAMP content or by exposure to two agonists that act by altering intracellular Ca2+ (carbachol and serotonin). TMB-8 decreased the ileal short-circuit current and increased active Na and Cl absorption by increasing the mucosal-to-serosal Na and Cl fluxes. These effects were reversed by increasing the bathing solution Ca2+ to 4 mM, a concentration that itself did not alter basal ileal transport.

Dantrolene and basal ileal sodium and chloride transport: involvement of calcium stores.

The effect of dantrolene on active ion transport in rabbit ileum was determined using the Ussing chamber short-circuiting technique. Dantrolene prevents the release of calcium from intracellular stores in skeletal muscle and was used to probe the role of intracellular calcium stores in intestinal ion transport. A saturated solution of dantrolene (approx 25 microM) decreased ileal short-circuit current and potential difference, increased conductance and mucosal-to-serosal and net Na and Cl fluxes, but did not alter serosal-to-mucosal Na and Cl fluxes.