Search results for "Smooth muscle contraction"

Smooth muscle and neural dysfunction contribute to different phases of murine postoperative ileus.

2015

Background Postoperative ileus (POI) is characterized by a transient inhibition of gastrointestinal (GI) motility after abdominal surgery mediated by the inflammation of the muscularis externa (ME). The aim of this study was to identify alterations in the enteric nervous system that may contribute to the pathogenesis of POI. Methods Gastrointestinal transit, contractility of isolated smooth muscle strips and inflammatory parameters were evaluated at different time points (1.5 h to 10 days) after intestinal manipulation (IM) in mice. Immune-labeling was used to visualize changes in myenteric neurons. Key Results Intestinal manipulation resulted in an immediate inhibition of GI transit recove…

Bronchial reactivity and intracellular magnesium: a possible mechanism for the bronchodilating effects of magnesium in asthma

1998

1.Increased bronchial smooth muscle contractility with consequent bronchial hyperreactivity are characteristic physiopathological events of asthma. Since magnesium intervenes in calcium transport mechanisms and intracellular phosphorylation reactions, it constitutes an important determinant of the contraction/relaxation state of bronchial smooth muscle. In the present study we investigated the relationship between bronchial reactivity, assessed by methacholine-provocation test, and magnesium concentrations both at extracellular and intracellular levels measured by spectrophotometry. Twenty-two patients with mild-to-moderate asthma and 38 non-asthmatic subjects with allergic rhinitis (24 all…

Effects of sildenafil on human penile blood vessels.

2000

Abstract Objectives. To investigate the effects of sildenafil on human penile blood vessels and evaluate the interaction of sildenafil with neurogenic-mediated responses. Sildenafil is currently used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Methods. Penile dorsal arteries and deep dorsal veins were obtained from 14 multiorgan donors. Vascular rings were suspended in organ bath chambers, and the isometric tension was recorded. We then studied the effects of sildenafil on precontracted vessels and the neurogenic (noradrenergic and nitrergic) responses. Results. Sildenafil (10 −9 to 3 × 10 −6 M) caused concentration-dependent relaxation and amplified the relaxation induced by sodium nitroprus…

Different muscarinic receptor subtypes modulate proliferation of primary human detrusor smooth muscle cells via Akt/PI3K and map kinases.

2013

While acetylcholine (ACh) and muscarinic receptors in the bladder are mainly known for their role in the regulation of smooth muscle contractility, in other tissues they are involved in tissue remodelling and promote cell growth and proliferation. In the present study we have used primary cultures of human detrusor smooth muscle cells (HDSMCs), in order to investigate the role of muscarinic receptors in HDSMC proliferation. Samples were obtained as discarded tissue from men >65 years undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer and cut in pieces that were either immediately frozen or placed in culture medium for the cell culture establishment. HDSMCs were isolated from samples, propagat…

Evidence for a modulatory role of cannabinoids on the excitatory NANC neurotransmission in mouse colon

2007

Abstract It is well accepted that endogenous cannabinoids and CB1 receptors are involved in the regulation of smooth muscle contractility and intestinal motility, through a mechanism mainly related to reduction of acetylcholine release from cholinergic nerve endings. Because, few data exist on a possible modulatory action of the cannabinoid agents on the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of cannabinoid drugs on the NANC responses elicited by electrical field stimulation (EFS) in the circular muscle of mouse proximal colon. Colonic contractions were monitored as changes in endoluminal…

Cellular basis of detrusor smooth muscle contraction

2015

Effects of cromakalim on acetylcholine release and smooth muscle contraction in guinea-pig small intestine

1989

The effects of the potassium channel opener cromakalim on smooth muscle contraction and 3H-acetyl-choline release were studied simultaneously in guinea-pig longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus preparations which had been preincubated with 3H-choline. Cromakalim (10 mumol/l) inhibited more markedly the smooth muscle contractions caused by the release of endogenous acetylcholine (via electrical stimulation or via activation of nicotine- and 5-HT3-receptors) than contractions induced by pilocarpine. Cromakalim (10 mumol/l) did not affect the release of 3H-acetylcholine evoked by electrical stimulation or by stimulation of nicotine- and 5-HT3-receptors. In contrast, the release of 3H-acetylchol…

Effects of 5-HT4 receptor stimulation on basal and electrically evoked release of acetylcholine from guinea-pig myenteric plexus

1992

The effects of 5-methoxytryptamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on both basal and electrically evoked outflow of tritium were studied in guinea-pig myenteric plexus preparations preincubated with [3H]-choline. Basal outflow. 5-Methoxytryptamine caused a transient and calcium-dependent increase in basal outflow of [3H]acetylcholine that was abolished by tetrodotoxin. Ondansetron (1 μmol/1) did not affect the stimulatory response of 5-methoxytryptamine but ICS 205-930 (1 and 3 μmol/1) produced parallel rightward displacements of the concentration-response curve to 5-methoxytryptamine. The PKB value for ICS 205-930 was 6.6 suggesting an involvement of 5-HT4 receptors. 5-HT caused an increase…

The effects of racemic bethanechol and its (R)- and (S)-enantiomers on pre- and postjunctional muscarine receptors in the guinea-pig ileum

1985

The effect of racemic bethanechol and its (R)- and (S)-enantiomers on smooth muscle contraction and outflow of [3H]-acetylcholine were studied in the guinea-pig myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation that had been preincubated with [3H]-choline. (S)-, racemic, and (R)-bethanechol caused concentration-dependent contractions of the longitudinal muscle. The potency ratio of the strong isomer (S) to the weak one (R) was 915. Racemic and (S)-bethanechol concentration-dependently inhibited the evoked outflow of [3H]-acetylcholine. Racemic bethanechol was more potent than (S)-bethanechol. (R)-bethanechol up to a concentration of 1 mM did no affect the evoked outflow of [3H]-acetylcholine…

Distribution of origin of nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the rat epididymis.

1996

Abstract Distribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive (nNOS-IR) nerve fibers and somata in the rat epididymis and major pelvic ganglia was studied by immunohistochemical methods. In the epididymis, the supply of nNOS-IR fibers was highest in the cauda and became progressively fewer toward the caput. In the cauda and corpus, nNOS-IR fibers were distributed throughout the subepithelial tissues and around the epithelium. The pattern of distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)- and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive fibers in the epididymis was similar but the latter was generally more numerous in a given region as compared to that of nNOS-IR fibers. A popu…