Prostanoid receptors of the EP3 subtype mediate inhibition of evoked [3 H]acetylcholine release from isolated human bronchi

1 The release of neuronal [3H]acetylcholine (ACh) from isolated human bronchi after labelling with [3H]choline was measured to investigate the effects of prostanoids. 2 A first period of electrical field stimulation (S1) caused a [3H]ACh release of 320±70 and 200±40 Becquerel (Bq) g−1 in epithelium-denuded and epithelium-containing bronchi respectively (P>0.05). Subsequent periods of electrical stimulation (Sn, n=2, 3, and 4) released less [3H]ACh, i.e. decreasing Sn/S1 values were obtained (0.76±0.09, 0.68±0.07 and 0.40±0.04, respectively). 3 Cumulative concentrations (1–1000 nM) of EP-receptor agonists like prostaglandin E2, nocloprost, and sulprostone (EP1 and EP3 selective) inhibited ev…