ISSN:
1420-908X
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on parasympathetic contraction of rabbit airway smooth muscle was studied under isometric conditionsin vitro. CGRP (10−7 M) did not contract tracheal smooth muscle, but it potentiated the contractile response to electrical field stimulation (EFS) in a dose-dependent manner, the maximal increase from the baseline response being 14.4±6.2%. In contrast, the contractile responses to exogenously administered acetylcholine were not altered by this peptide. The CGRP-induced potentiation of the contractile responses to EFS was further augmented by physostigmine (123.1%), but not influenced by phentolamine, propranolol, indomethacin, or thiorphan, an enkephalinase inhibitor. These results suggest that CGRP augments the neurally mediated contraction of rabbit airway smooth muscle probably through a prejunctional mechanism and that this effect may not be modulated by tissue enkephalinase.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01997611
