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.
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Pertussis toxin attenuates presynaptic inhibition of cholinergic but not nonadrenergic noncholinergic contraction in guinea pig airways.
