Effects of Atropine on Acetylcholine Overflow from Perfused Chicken Hearts

Isolated chicken hearts were perfused (20 ml/min) with Tyrode’s solution. Release of acetylcholine (ACh) was evoked either by electrical stimulation (1 ms; 15 mA) of both preganglionic vagus nerves or by perfusion with dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP). ACh was extracted from the perfusates by ion-pair extraction and determined by gas chromatography.

THE EFFECTS OF MUSCARINIC AGONISTS AND ANTAGONISTS ON ACETYLCHOLINE RELEASE FROM PERIPHERAL CHOLINERGIC NERVES IN THE ABSENCE AND PRESENCE OF A CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITOR