Biomaterial Database

Unique effect of tetrapentylammonium ions on sympathetic transmission in rat vas deferens. 1998

Y Huang, and C W Lau

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, China.

1. Effects of tetrapentylammonium ions (TPA+) on contractile responses induced by electric field stimulation and by exogenous agonist such as noradrenaline, ATP and high K+ were examined in the isolated epididymal half of the rat vas deferens. 2. The electrically evoked monophasic contractions (0.5 Hz, 1 ms pulse duration, 40 V) were potentiated by TPA+ at low concentrations (1-3 microM) and inhibited by TPA+ at a concentration greater than 10 microM. 3. TPA+ (0.3-3 microM) potentiated the contractile responses induced by noradrenaline and ATP, whilst, TPA+ (10 microM) concentration-dependently reduced the agonist-induced contractions. TEA+ enhanced both electrically evoked and agonist-induced contractions. 4. TPA+ (0.3 microM) potentiated 30 mM K+-induced phasic contraction which was inhibited by pretreatment with alpha,beta-methylene ATP (3 microM) and prazosin (3 microM). 5. TPA+ (10-300 microM) reduced the contractions induced by 100 mM extracellular K+ while TBA+ and TEA+ had no effect. 6. The present results show that TPA+ at low concentrations may act at prejunctional nerve membranes to enhance release of contractile transmitters and act as a putative K+ channel blocker at postjunctional membranes to increase muscle contractility in rat vas deferens; whilst at high concentrations TPA+ mainly acts on smooth muscle probably as a non-selective relaxant against the agonist-induced contraction probably through inhibition of Ca2+ influx; this inhibitory effect appears unique for TPA+ since TEA+ and TBA+ did not induce muscle relaxation.

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
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
D009469	Neuromuscular Junction	The synapse between a neuron and a muscle.	Myoneural Junction,Nerve-Muscle Preparation,Junction, Myoneural,Junction, Neuromuscular,Junctions, Myoneural,Junctions, Neuromuscular,Myoneural Junctions,Nerve Muscle Preparation,Nerve-Muscle Preparations,Neuromuscular Junctions,Preparation, Nerve-Muscle,Preparations, Nerve-Muscle
D009638	Norepinephrine	Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the ADRENAL MEDULLA and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and of the diffuse projection system in the brain that arises from the LOCUS CERULEUS. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic.	Levarterenol,Levonorepinephrine,Noradrenaline,Arterenol,Levonor,Levophed,Levophed Bitartrate,Noradrenaline Bitartrate,Noradrénaline tartrate renaudin,Norepinephrin d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine Bitartrate,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:2),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+,-)-Isomer
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.
D011224	Prazosin	A selective adrenergic alpha-1 antagonist used in the treatment of HEART FAILURE; HYPERTENSION; PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA; RAYNAUD DISEASE; PROSTATIC HYPERTROPHY; and URINARY RETENTION.	Furazosin,Minipress,Pratsiol,Prazosin HCL,Prazosin Hydrochloride,HCL, Prazosin,Hydrochloride, Prazosin
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
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