Biomaterial Database

Nonparticipation of adrenergic mechanism in potassium-induced relaxation of taenia from guinea pig caecum. 1976

K Kurahashi, and M Fujiwara

In the isolated taenia caeci of guinea pigs excess potassium (10-30 mM) induced a phasic relaxation followed by a contraction. This phasic relaxation was unaffected by treatment with hexamethonium, phentolamine, propranolol and bretylium. However, relaxation induced by perivascular nerve stimulation was inhibited by all these agents but not by hexamethonium. Tetrodotoxin inhibited both forms of relaxation. Potassium-induced relaxation was not accompanied by [3H]noradrenaline release. Perivascular nerve stimulation caused release of [3H]noradrenaline and this was blocked by bretylium. Treatment with ouabain or replacement of NaCl by LiCl, but not treatment by cold storage, inhibited the potassium-induced relaxation. These results suggest that the potassium-induced relaxation of taenia caeci was due to electrogenic sodium pumping and was independent of the adrenergic innervation of the tissue.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
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
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
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
D002432	Cecum	The blind sac or outpouching area of the LARGE INTESTINE that is below the entrance of the SMALL INTESTINE. It has a worm-like extension, the vermiform APPENDIX.	Cecums
D003080	Cold Temperature	An absence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably below an accustomed norm.	Cold,Cold Temperatures,Temperature, Cold,Temperatures, Cold
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
D005260	Female		Females
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
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