Biomaterial Database

Interaction between picrotoxin and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the superior cervical ganglion of the cat. 1973

W C De Groat, and P M Lalley

1. Electrophysiological techniques were utilized to study the actions of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and picrotoxin on the superior cervical ganglion of the cat.2. The intra-arterial administration of 5-HT to the ganglion elicited both depressant and excitatory actions. In low doses (0.01-0.5 mug) the amine produced a depression of ganglionic transmission. In larger doses (2-50 mug) it produced an excitation of ganglion cells (early discharge) and an initial enhancement of transmission, which was followed by depression. Picrotoxin (25-500 mug, i.a.) blocked the initial excitatory effects of 5-HT but did not block the depression. Picrotoxin did not antagonize the excitatory actions of injected cholinomimetic agents or potassium chloride.3. In ganglia conditioned by repetitive stimulation of the preganglionic nerve (30 Hz for 30 s) 5-HT also elicited a late-occurring and very prolonged discharge on certain postganglionic nerves (;spinal') but not on others (external carotid). The late discharge was only partially depressed by picrotoxin.4. Recordings from the surface of the superior cervical ganglion revealed that 5-HT produced three types of ganglionic potentials: (1) an initial transient depolarization which coincided with the early discharge, (2) a late-occurring, prolonged depolarization which coincided with the late discharge, and (3) a hyperpolarization which in some experiments accompanied the depression of transmission. The late depolarization and hyperpolarization were not observed in every experiment. Picrotoxin (25-500 mug) blocked the initial depolarization, but did not block the late depolarization or the hyperpolarization.5. It is concluded the 5-HT can produce three distinct responses in the superior cervical ganglion: a depressant effect and two types of excitation. It seems likely that depression and excitation occur via the activation of different receptors, since picrotoxin selectively blocks the latter. The finding that picrotoxin is a 5-HT antagonist in peripheral ganglia raises the possibility that picrotoxin might also influence tryptaminergic mechanisms in the central nervous system.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009435	Synaptic Transmission	The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES.	Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D010277	Parasympathomimetics	Drugs that mimic the effects of parasympathetic nervous system activity. Included here are drugs that directly stimulate muscarinic receptors and drugs that potentiate cholinergic activity, usually by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine (CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS). Drugs that stimulate both sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionic neurons (GANGLIONIC STIMULANTS) are not included here.	Parasympathomimetic Agents,Parasympathomimetic Drugs,Parasympathomimetic Effect,Parasympathomimetic Effects,Agents, Parasympathomimetic,Drugs, Parasympathomimetic,Effect, Parasympathomimetic,Effects, Parasympathomimetic
D010852	Picrotoxin	A mixture of PICROTOXININ and PICROTIN that is a noncompetitive antagonist at GABA-A receptors acting as a convulsant. Picrotoxin blocks the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-activated chloride ionophore. Although it is most often used as a research tool, it has been used as a CNS stimulant and an antidote in poisoning by CNS depressants, especially the barbiturates.	3,6-Methano-8H-1,5,7-trioxacyclopenta(ij)cycloprop(a)azulene-4,8(3H)-dione, hexahydro-2a-hydroxy-9-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-8b-methyl-, (1aR-(1aalpha,2abeta,3beta,6beta,6abeta,8aS,8bbeta,9S))-, compd. with (1aR-(1aalpha,2abeta,3beta,6beta,6abeta,8,Cocculin
D011189	Potassium Chloride	A white crystal or crystalline powder used in BUFFERS; FERTILIZERS; and EXPLOSIVES. It can be used to replenish ELECTROLYTES and restore WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE in treating HYPOKALEMIA.	Slow-K,Chloride, Potassium
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D003042	Cocaine	An alkaloid ester extracted from the leaves of plants including coca. It is a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor and is clinically used for that purpose, particularly in the eye, ear, nose, and throat. It also has powerful central nervous system effects similar to the amphetamines and is a drug of abuse. Cocaine, like amphetamines, acts by multiple mechanisms on brain catecholaminergic neurons; the mechanism of its reinforcing effects is thought to involve inhibition of dopamine uptake.	Cocaine HCl,Cocaine Hydrochloride,HCl, Cocaine,Hydrochloride, Cocaine
D003404	Creatinine		Creatinine Sulfate Salt,Krebiozen,Salt, Creatinine Sulfate,Sulfate Salt, Creatinine
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D004878	Ergotamine	A vasoconstrictor found in ergot of Central Europe. It is a serotonin agonist that has been used as an oxytocic agent and in the treatment of MIGRAINE DISORDERS.	Ergotamine Tartrate,Cornutamine,Ergo Sanol,Ergo-Kranit,Ergodryl Mono,Ergomar,Ergostat,Ergotamine Tartrate (2:1),Ergotaminine,Gynergen,Lingraine,Ergo Kranit,Mono, Ergodryl,Tartrate, Ergotamine
D005071	Evoked Potentials	Electrical responses recorded from nerve, muscle, SENSORY RECEPTOR, or area of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM following stimulation. They range from less than a microvolt to several microvolts. The evoked potential can be auditory (EVOKED POTENTIALS, AUDITORY), somatosensory (EVOKED POTENTIALS, SOMATOSENSORY), visual (EVOKED POTENTIALS, VISUAL), or motor (EVOKED POTENTIALS, MOTOR), or other modalities that have been reported.	Event Related Potential,Event-Related Potentials,Evoked Potential,N100 Evoked Potential,P50 Evoked Potential,N1 Wave,N100 Evoked Potentials,N2 Wave,N200 Evoked Potentials,N3 Wave,N300 Evoked Potentials,N4 Wave,N400 Evoked Potentials,P2 Wave,P200 Evoked Potentials,P50 Evoked Potentials,P50 Wave,P600 Evoked Potentials,Potentials, Event-Related,Event Related Potentials,Event-Related Potential,Evoked Potential, N100,Evoked Potential, N200,Evoked Potential, N300,Evoked Potential, N400,Evoked Potential, P200,Evoked Potential, P50,Evoked Potential, P600,Evoked Potentials, N100,Evoked Potentials, N200,Evoked Potentials, N300,Evoked Potentials, N400,Evoked Potentials, P200,Evoked Potentials, P50,Evoked Potentials, P600,N1 Waves,N2 Waves,N200 Evoked Potential,N3 Waves,N300 Evoked Potential,N4 Waves,N400 Evoked Potential,P2 Waves,P200 Evoked Potential,P50 Waves,P600 Evoked Potential,Potential, Event Related,Potential, Event-Related,Potential, Evoked,Potentials, Event Related,Potentials, Evoked,Potentials, N400 Evoked,Related Potential, Event,Related Potentials, Event,Wave, N1,Wave, N2,Wave, N3,Wave, N4,Wave, P2,Wave, P50,Waves, N1,Waves, N2,Waves, N3,Waves, N4,Waves, P2,Waves, P50