Cardiac vagal effects in the toad are attenuated by repetitive vagal stimulation. 1993

E Preston, and G P Courtice
School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, Australia.

The neuropeptide, somatostatin is co-localised with acetylcholine and galanin in cardiac vagal nerve fibres in the toad, Bufo marinus. Cardiac responses attributed to the release of somatostatin are profound bradycardia, and potentiation of cardiac vagal action by increased acetylcholine release. Cardiac slowing in response to a standard electrical stimulus applied to the vagus (1-2 Hz for 10 s) was potentiated after a 2 min high frequency stimulation (10 Hz). This potentiation of cardiac vagal action was abolished after a 1-hour period of repetitive vagal stimulation. In the presence of atropine, increases in pulse interval recorded in response to vagal stimulation at various frequencies for 2 min each, were significantly reduced after the hour of repetitive stimulation. Potentiation of cardiac vagal action and increases in baseline pulse interval were recorded also in response to intravenous injection of exogenous somatostatin. These responses were not significantly different after the hour of repetitive stimulation. It is concluded that attenuation of the cardiac responses described after the hour of repetitive stimulation is due to depletion of the stores of the neuropeptide somatostatin in the vagal nerve endings.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009119 Muscle Contraction A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments. Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D002024 Bufo marinus A species of the true toads, Bufonidae, becoming fairly common in the southern United States and almost pantropical. The secretions from the skin glands of this species are very toxic to animals. Rhinella marina,Toad, Giant,Toad, Marine,Giant Toad,Giant Toads,Marine Toad,Marine Toads,Toads, Giant,Toads, Marine
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
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001285 Atropine An alkaloid, originally from Atropa belladonna, but found in other plants, mainly SOLANACEAE. Hyoscyamine is the 3(S)-endo isomer of atropine. AtroPen,Atropin Augenöl,Atropine Sulfate,Atropine Sulfate Anhydrous,Atropinol,Anhydrous, Atropine Sulfate,Augenöl, Atropin,Sulfate Anhydrous, Atropine,Sulfate, Atropine
D013004 Somatostatin A 14-amino acid peptide named for its ability to inhibit pituitary GROWTH HORMONE release, also called somatotropin release-inhibiting factor. It is expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, the gut, and other organs. SRIF can also inhibit the release of THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE; PROLACTIN; INSULIN; and GLUCAGON besides acting as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator. In a number of species including humans, there is an additional form of somatostatin, SRIF-28 with a 14-amino acid extension at the N-terminal. Cyclic Somatostatin,Somatostatin-14,Somatotropin Release-Inhibiting Hormone,SRIH-14,Somatofalk,Somatostatin, Cyclic,Somatotropin Release-Inhibiting Factor,Stilamin,Somatostatin 14,Somatotropin Release Inhibiting Factor,Somatotropin Release Inhibiting Hormone
D014630 Vagus Nerve The 10th cranial nerve. The vagus is a mixed nerve which contains somatic afferents (from skin in back of the ear and the external auditory meatus), visceral afferents (from the pharynx, larynx, thorax, and abdomen), parasympathetic efferents (to the thorax and abdomen), and efferents to striated muscle (of the larynx and pharynx). Cranial Nerve X,Pneumogastric Nerve,Tenth Cranial Nerve,Nerve X,Nervus Vagus,Cranial Nerve, Tenth,Cranial Nerves, Tenth,Nerve X, Cranial,Nerve Xs,Nerve, Pneumogastric,Nerve, Tenth Cranial,Nerve, Vagus,Nerves, Pneumogastric,Nerves, Tenth Cranial,Nerves, Vagus,Pneumogastric Nerves,Tenth Cranial Nerves,Vagus Nerves,Vagus, Nervus

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