Nicotine-evoked cytosolic Ca2+ increase and cell depolarization in capillary endothelial cells of the bovine adrenal medulla

Endothelial cells are directly involved in many functions of the cardiovascular system by regulating blood flow and blood pressure through Ca2+ dependent exocitosis of vasoactive compounds. Using the Ca2+ indicator Fluo-3 and the patch-clamp technique, we show that bovine adrenal medulla capillary endothelial cells (B AMCECs) respond to acetylcholine (ACh) with a cytosolic Ca2+ increase and depolarization of the membrane potential (20.3±0.9 mV; n=23). The increase in cytosolic Ca2+ induced by 10µM ACh was mimicked by the same concentration of nicotine but not by muscarine and was blocked by 100 µM of hexamethonium. On the other hand, the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ could be depressed by nifedipine (0.01 -100 µM) or withdrawal of extracellular Ca2+. Taken together, these results give evidence for functional nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) in capillary endothelial cells of the adrenal medulla. It suggests that nAChRs in B AMCECs may be involved in the regulation of the adrenal gland's microcirculation by depolarizing the membrane potential, leading to the opening of voltage-activated Ca2+ channels, influx of external Ca2+ and liberation of vasoactive compounds.

Blood flow measurements in rats using four color microspheres during blockade of different vasopressor systems

The use of colored microspheres to adequately evaluate blood flow changes under different circumstances in the same rat has been validated with a maximum of three different colors due to methodological limitations. The aim of the present study was to validate the use of four different colors measuring four repeated blood flow changes in the same rat to assess the role of vasopressor systems in controlling arterial pressure (AP). Red (150,000), white (200,000), yellow (150,000), and blue (200,000) colored microspheres were infused into the left ventricle of 6 male Wistar rats 1) at rest and 2) after vasopressin (aAVP, 10 æg/kg, iv), 3) renin-angiotensin (losartan, 10 mg/kg, iv), and 4) sympathetic system blockade (hexamethonium, 20 mg/kg, iv) to determine blood flow changes. AP was recorded and processed with a data acquisition system (1-kHz sampling frequency). Blood flow changes were quantified by spectrophotometry absorption peaks for colored microsphere components in the tissues evaluated. Administration of aAVP and losartan slightly reduced the AP (-5.7 ± 0.5 and -7.8 ± 1.2 mmHg, respectively), while hexamethonium induced a 52 ± 3 mmHg fall in AP. The aAVP injection increased blood flow in lungs (78 percent), liver (117 percent) and skeletal muscle (>150 percent), while losartan administration enhanced blood flow in heart (126 percent), lungs (100 percent), kidneys (80 percent), and gastrocnemius (75 percent) and soleus (94 percent) muscles. Hexamethonium administration reduced only kidney blood flow (50 percent). In conclusion, four types of colored microspheres can be used to perform four repeated blood flow measurements in the same rat detecting small alterations such as changes in tissues with low blood flow.

Indian red scorpion venom modulates spontaneous activity of rat right atria through the involvement of cholinergic and adrenergic systems.

The effect of Indian red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus concanesis, Pocock; MBT) venom was investigated on isolated rat right atrial preparations. MBT venom (0.001-3.0 micrograms/ml) exhibited a peculiar concentration-response pattern with respect to rate. The venom concentrations between 0.001-0.01 microgram/ml increased the atrial rate (phase I), followed by a relative decrease with 0.03-0.3 microgram/ml (phase II), and then an abrupt increase with 0.6-3.0 micrograms/ml (phase III). On the other hand, the force was unaltered by venom at phases I and II, while an increase was seen at phase III (3.0 micrograms/ml). Propranolol (0.1 microM) completely blocked the cardiostimulant action of venom at phase III. Further, this stimulant action of venom was absent in atria obtained from reserpinized animals. Pretreatment with atropine (0.3 microM), produced tachycardia at concentrations 0.1-0.3 microgram/ml of venom. But, hexamethonium (30 microM) had no influence on the venom (0.1 microgram/ml)-induced alterations in rate. However, MBT venom increased the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity (2-3 fold) in a concentration-dependent manner. Tetrodotoxin (2 microM), did not block the increase in rate produced by 0.01 microgram/ml of venom. Results suggest that, MBT venom-induced alterations of cardiac rhythmicity are mediated through cholinergic as well as adrenergic mechanisms depending upon the concentrations. The modulation of atrial rate at very low concentrations may be due to the direct action of venom on the atrium.

Effect of cholinergic agonists on muscular tonus of the lizard small intestine and esophagus

The underlying mechanisms of acetycholine-induced intestinal relaxation in the lizard Liolaemus tenuis tenuis are still unknows. By using a classical model of intestinal recording of isometric contraction and relaxation in conjunction with specific pharmacological tools, this article studies the possible influence of EDRF/NO and nicotinic ganglionar receptors on the Ach-induced relaxation in an effort to elucidate the probable mechanisms involved in ACh effect. It was observed that the relaxation of the lizard intestine elicited by ACh (10(-7) - 4 x 10(-4) M) was not affected by hexametonium (5 x 10(4) M) or tetrodotoxin (10(-6) M). Nicotine (10(-7) to 10(-4) M) induced relaxation was significantly antagonized by hexametonium; however, it was not influenced by tetrodotoxin. These results allow us to discard a neuronal pathway in cholinergic-induced relaxation, suggesting a more direct cholinergic effect on the smooth muscle, perhaps mediated by an unknown substance released by some specialized tissue. N-nitro-L-arginine, used to block NO-synthase and NO production, induced no changes in ACh-induced relaxation. Methylene blue, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, induced no changes in ACh-induced relaxation. These results allow us to dicard a probable role of EDRF/nitric oxide in the ACh-induced relaxation of lizard small intestine, providing evidence that this mechanism could be different from reported on other species.

Control of melanosome movements in isolated skin melanophores of a catfish Clarias batrachus (Linn.).

Adrenergic and cholinergic receptors have been studied in isolated skin melanophores of a catfish Clarias batrachus. Catecholamines induced a strong aggregatory effect on the melanophores. Melanosome aggregation induced by adrenaline and noradrenaline was partially blocked by alpha adrenergic receptor blockers and a beta receptor blocker. Cholinomimetic drugs aroused a significant dispersion of melanophroes. Atropine effectively blocked the dispersal, responses of melanophores to acetylcholine and carbachol, while, hexamethonium blocked the nocotine induced dispersal responses of the melanophores.