Adrenoceptor agonists inhibit calcium-dependent potentials in rat stellate ganglion neurons.

Aim: To study the effects of adrenoceptor agonists on the stellate ganglion neurons.

Methods: Intracellular recordings were made from neurons of the isolated rat stellate ganglia.

Results: Noradrenaline and clonidine (10-30 mumol.L-1) reversibly depressed 3 types of calcium-dependent potentials, namely, the action potential shoulder; the spike after-hyperpolarization; the Ca2+ spike evoked in Krebs' solution containing TTX and TEA and fast excitatory postsynaptic potential (f-EPSP).

Conclusion: The adrenoceptor agonists inhibitied the 3 calcium-dependent potentials; f-EPSP was inhibited by reducing Ca2+ influx at presynaptic site in population of neurons.