Abstract
Several alpha-2- and opioid receptors exert their intracellular effects via a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein. Both cholinergic and nonadrenergic noncholinergic nerve-mediated contractions of airways can be reduced by stimulation of presynaptic alpha-2- and opioid receptors. Using guinea pig trachea and bronchi, pretreated with pertussis toxin 100 micrograms/kg or 0.9% NaCl, we investigated whether these inhibitory effects on airway contractions, evoked by electrical field stimulation, are mediated via a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein. The results indicate a difference between cholinergic and excitatory nonadrenergic non-cholinergic neurotransmission. Inhibition of cholinergic contraction via presynaptic alpha-2- and opioid receptors seems to be mediated via a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, whereas inhibition of nonadrenergic noncholinergic contraction is not affected by pertussis toxin.
JPET articles become freely available 12 months after publication, and remain freely available for 5 years.Non-open access articles that fall outside this five year window are available only to institutional subscribers and current ASPET members, or through the article purchase feature at the bottom of the page.
|
