Taenia Caeci Research Articles

Effects of simultaneous treatment with PMX-DHP and sivelestat on endotoxaemia in conscious guinea pigs

Using an endotoxaemia model in conscious guinea pigs, we previously reported that polymyxin B immobilized fiber-direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) or administration of sivelestat are effective treatments for sepsis. In the present study, we investigated whether simultaneous treatment with PMX-DHP and sivelestat sodium was more effective than either treatment alone for sepsis. Measurements examined included intestinal paralysis, blood pressure, serum HMGB1 level and survival rate. Colonic motion was monitored continuously by telemetry using a transducer attached to the taenia caecum, while blood pressure was monitored with a carotid artery catheter. The guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered to all animals. The control group received only LPS. The remaining three groups received PMX treatment for 2 hours, sivelestat sodium administration for 2 hours or simultaneous PMX and sivelestat treatment for 2 hours. In the control group, decreased colonic muscle tension and arterial pressure, and increased serum HMGB1 levels were observed and all animals died within 30 hours. In the PMX-DHP treated group, the decreases in colonic tension and arterial pressure were less severe than for the control group and the survival rate was higher than the control group, but serum HMGB1 levels were not significantly different. In the sivelestat group, decreases in colonic tension and arterial pressure were not significantly different with the control group, but serum HMGB1 levels were lower than in the control group. Simultaneous treatment with both PMX-DHP and sivelestat sodium did not exhibit synergistic effects for the treatment of LPS- induced endotoxaemia and mortality. PMX-DHP was effective at treating sepsis induced by administration of a high dose of LPS in guinea pigs, but simultaneous administration of sivelestat sodium did not augment the efficacy of PMX-DHP treatment.

Measurement of Spontaneous Oscillatory Magnetic Field of Guinea-Pig Smooth Muscle Preparation Using Pico-Tesla Resolution Amorphous Wire Magneto-Impedance Sensor

New measured results of spontaneous oscillatory bio-magnetic field generated from preparations of guinea-pig smooth muscle tissue are presented in this paper using the pico-Tesla MI sensor. It is confirmed that the changes in the bio-magnetic field activity precisely synchronized with extracellular electric activity for stomach musculature of the guinea-pig. It is, however, noteworthy that these two activities provide different biological information. A phase lag of around 2 s of the magnetic signal pulse against the extracellular electric signal pulse is newly found. It is also shown that Ca2+ channel activity of the smooth muscle tissue (taenia caeci) can be evaluated using the MI sensor. Both electric and magnetic activities depend on the functionality of the living tissues. Therefore, the pico-Tesla MI sensor has the potential for non-invasive detection use in wide range of biology and medicine, including non-invasive evaluation use of the stem cells development.

Myostimulating effect of <i>Sesamum radiatum</i> aqueous leaf extract in isolated guinea-pig <i>Tainia caeci</i> contractile activity

This study was carried to examine the effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Sesamum radiatum, a laxative plant on the contractile activity of Taenia caeci, an intestinal smooth muscle. Strips of Taenia caeci were rapidly removed from guinea-pig and were suspended between two L-shaped stainless steel hooks in a 10 ml organ bath with Mac Ewen solution. The isometric contractile force of the Taenia caeci strips were recorded by using a strain gauge. S. radiatum aqueous leaf extract (ESera) is a spasmogenic substance. This myostimulant effect is characterized by the increase of the rhythm and the amplitude of isolated guinea-pig Taenia caeci smooth muscle in normal solution and by the development of contracture in modified solution and in solution without calcium. A similar effect was observed with ACh which caused a graded increase of the contractile activity of Taenia caeci. The effects induced by ESera and ACh were reversed in the presence of atropine. The spasmogenic effect induced by ESera could justify partially the use of S. radiatum as laxative in traditional medicine.

Pulse-driven magnetoimpedance sensor detection of biomagnetic fields in musculatures with spontaneous electric activity

We measured biomagnetic fields in musculatures with spontaneous electric activity using a pulse-driven magnetoimpedance (PMI) sensor with the sensitivity improved toward a pico-Tesla (pT) level. Due to the sufficiently short operation interval of 1 μs, this magnetic sensor enabled quasi-real time recordings of the magnetic field for biological electric activity. Isolated small musculatures from the guinea-pig stomach, taenia caeci, portal vein and urinary bladder were incubated in an organ bath at a body temperature. The improved PMI sensor mounted approximately 1 mm below the preparations detected oscillatory magnetic fields reflecting spontaneous electric activities of musculature preparations. In the taenia caeci, application of tetraethyl ammonium (TEA), a K + channel blocker, significantly enhanced the magnetic activity estimated by histogram analysis. Also, in some musculature preparations, simultaneous measurements with electric activity revealed that the observed magnetic activities were attributed to biological electric activity. PMI technology is promising for applications in biology and medicine.

Depressant action of oxybutynin on the contractility of intestinal and urinary tract smooth muscle.

Experiments were carried out in-vitro using segments of guinea-pig ileum, taenia caeci, ureter and detrusor. In the ileum, oxybutynin (30, 100 nM) competitively antagonized acetylcholine-induced contractions but did not alter those induced by histamine. Higher concentrations of oxybutynin (up to 10 microM) induced a non-competitive depression of responses to both agonists and caused a parallel shift to the right of the Ca2+-induced contractions in taenia caeci strips bathed in a Ca2+-free, high-K+ medium. In the ureter, oxybutynin (1-10 microM) impaired rhythmic muscular contractions in normal medium and after CaCl2 addition in Ca2+-free medium. Similarly to verapamil (10, 30 microM), oxybutynin (10, 30 microM) depressed both the cholinergic and non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic components of the electrically-induced contractions of detrusor strips. It is concluded that oxybutynin has anticholinergic properties and, at higher concentrations, exerts a direct spasmolytic activity possibly mediated by blockade of the transmembrane Ca2+ fluxes responsible for smooth muscle contraction.

Differentiation of calcium antagonists with respect to their effects in normal and skinned taenia caeci preparations

In taenia preparations, depolarized by a K+-rich medium, Ca2+ caused contraction and cinnarizine (0.4-100 microM), trifluoperazine (2-100 microM) and verapamil (0.02-10 microM) caused concentration-dependent antagonism of Ca2+, displacing the Ca2+ log concentration-effect curve to the right and depressing the maximal response. Equieffective (IC75) antispasmogenic concentrations were selected. The antispasmogenic effects of verapamil were readily offset by removing the drug from the bathing fluid but those of the other drugs were not. The calcium antagonists (antispasmogenic IC75) were then tested for spasmolytic activity in tissues generating tension in response to the EC80 of Ca2+. Verapamil was more effective in producing spasmolysis than cinnarazine or trifluoperazine. In skinned taenia preparations, verapamil (100 microM) did not inhibit Ca2+-induced contractions. High concentrations of cinnarizine (100 microM) and trifluoperazine (100 microM) inhibited Ca2+-induced activation of the contractile proteins. However, antispasmogenic IC75s from intact taenia were not able to produce this effect on skinned preparations. It is concluded that there are differences between calcium antagonists. The action of verapamil on intact taenia is mainly exerted on the plasma membrane. Cinnarizine and trifluoperazine act both on the plasma membrane and upon the intracellular contractile machinery.

Three-dimensional demonstration of the interstitial cells of Cajal associated with the submucosal plexus in guinea-pig caecum

The guinea-pig caecum was studied by using immunohistochemistry for Kit receptors and nerves to clarify whether interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) were localized in association with the submucosal plexus (ICC-SP). A large area of the guinea-pig caecum was nearly devoid of longitudinal muscles, because they were concentrated into three bundles of the taenia caeci (coli) and this allowed clear observation of the myenteric and submucosal plexus as separate networks in whole-mount stretch preparations. The myenteric plexus was observed as a loose polygonal network consisting in elongated ganglia and long connecting nerve strands, whereas the submucosal plexus was identified as smaller ovoid ganglia connected to much thinner nerve strands in different tissue layers. Three-dimensional reconstruction of confocal images revealed multipolar-shaped ICC-SP located around the submucosal ganglion in a basket formation. Bipolar ICC-SP were also observed along the connecting nerve strands of the submucosal plexus. The functional involvement of ICC-SP in mucosal activity is discussed in relation to fluid transportation. This three-dimensional study of ICC-SP thus provides a candidate for the most suitable material available for functional experiments examining the physiological significance of ICC-SP.

Hydrogen sulphide inhibits carbachol-induced contractile responses in β-escin permeabilized guinea-pig taenia caecum

Hydrogen sulphide (H 2S) is an endogenous mediator producing a potent relaxation response in vascular and non-vascular smooth muscles. While ATP-sensitive potassium channels are mainly involved in this relaxant effect in vascular smooth muscle, the mechanism in other smooth muscles has not been revealed yet. In the present study, we investigated how H 2S relaxes non-vascular smooth muscle by using intact and β-escin permeabilized guinea-pig taenia caecum. In intact tissues, concentration-dependent relaxation response to H 2S donor NaHS in carbachol-precontracted preparations did not change in the presence of a K ATP channel blocker glibenclamide, adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ-22536, guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ, protein kinase A inhibitor KT-5720, protein kinase C inhibitor H-7, tetrodotoxin, apamin/charybdotoxin, NOS inhibitor L-NAME and cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. We then studied how H 2S affected carbachol- or Ca 2+-induced contractions in permeabilized tissues. When Ca 2+ was clamped to a constant value ( pCa6), a further contraction could be elicited by carbachol that was decreased by NaHS. This decrease in contraction was reversed by catalase but not by superoxide dismutase or N-acetyl cysteine. The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+-ATPase pump inhibitor, cyclopiazonic acid, also decreased the carbachol-induced contraction that was further inhibited by NaHS. Mitochondrial proton pump inhibitor carbonyl cyanide p-trifluromethoxyphenylhydrazone also decreased the carbachol-induced contraction but this was not additionally changed by NaHS. The carbachol-induced Ca 2+ sensitization, calcium concentration–response curves, IP 3- and caffeine-induced contractions were not affected by NaHS. In conclusion, we propose that hydrogen peroxide and mitochondria may have a role in H 2S-induced relaxation response in taenia caecum.

TPC2 Proteins Mediate Nicotinic Acid Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NAADP)- and Agonist-evoked Contractions of Smooth Muscle

Agonists such as those acting at muscarinic receptors are thought to induce contraction of smooth muscle primarily through inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production and release of Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum. However, the additional Ca2+-mobilizing messengers cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose (cADPR) and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) may also be involved in this process, the former acting on the sarcoplasmic reticulum, the latter acting on lysosome-related organelles. In this study, we provide the first systematic analysis of the capacity of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, cADPR, and NAADP to cause contraction in smooth muscle. Using permeabilized guinea pig detrusor and taenia caecum, we show that all three Ca2+-mobilizing messengers cause contractions in both types of smooth muscle. We demonstrate that cADPR and NAADP play differential roles in mediating contraction in response to muscarinic receptor activation, with a sizeable role for NAADP and acidic calcium stores in detrusor muscle but not in taenia caecum, underscoring the heterogeneity of smooth muscle signal transduction systems. Two-pore channel proteins (TPCs) have recently been shown to be key components of the NAADP receptor. We show that contractile responses to NAADP were completely abolished, and agonist-evoked contractions were reduced and now became independent of acidic calcium stores in Tpcn2−/− mouse detrusor smooth muscle. Our findings provide the first evidence that TPC proteins mediate a key NAADP-regulated tissue response brought about by agonist activation of a cell surface receptor.

Histamine Develops Homologous Desensitization under Ca<sup>2+</sup>-free Conditions with Increase in Basal Tone in Smooth Muscle of Guinea Pig Taenia Caeci

Histamine regulates a variety of physiological or pathophysiological processes via the activation of G(q/11) protein-coupled and Ca(2+)-mobilizing histamine H(1) receptors, including smooth muscle contraction. We have found that histamine induces progression from heterologous to homologous desensitization of contraction under normal physiological conditions in smooth muscle of guinea pig taenia caeci. In this study, we characterized the development of histamine-induced desensitization under Ca(2+)-free conditions and we found that histamine developed only a homologous phase of desensitization to histamine with an increase in EC(50) values for histamine and basal tone. In contrast, histamine treatment reduced EC(50) values for a muscarinic agonist, carbachol, and depolarizing high K(+). These results suggest that the failure of excess histamine to induce a normal Ca(2+) response under Ca(2+)-free conditions may lead to homologous desensitization to histamine with apparent hyper-reactivity of smooth muscles to cholinergic and depolarizing stimuli. We estimate that this characteristic of histamine to change smooth muscle contractility may be potentially involved in its physiological and pathophysiological aspects, including histamine-induced allergic conditions, depending on cellular circumstances.

Regulatory mechanism of smooth muscle contraction studied with gelsolin-treated strips of taenia caeci in guinea pig

The potential roles of the regulatory proteins actin, tropomyosin (Tm), and caldesmon (CaD), i.e., the components of the thin filament, in smooth muscle have been extensively studied in several types of smooth muscles. However, controversy remains on the putative physiological significance of these proteins. In this study, we intended to determine the functional roles of Tm and CaD in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction by using a reconstitution system of the thin filaments. At appropriate conditions, the thin (actin) filaments within skinned smooth muscle strips of taenia caeci in guinea pigs could be selectively removed by an actin-severing protein, gelsolin, without irreversible damage to the contractile apparatus, and then the thin filaments were reconstituted with purified components of thin filaments, i.e., actin, Tm, and CaD. We found that the structural remodeling of actin filaments or thin filaments was functionally linked to the Ca(2+)-induced force development and reduction in muscle cross-sectional area (CSA). That is, after the reconstitution of the gelsolin-treated skinned smooth muscle strips with pure actin, the Ca(2+)-dependent force development was partially restored, but the Ca(2+)-induced reduction in CSA occurred once. In contrast, the reconstitution with actin, followed by Tm and CaD, restored not only the force generation but also both its Ca(2+) sensitivity and the reversible Ca(2+)-dependent reduction in CSA. We confirmed that both removal of the thin filaments by gelsolin treatment and reconstitution of the actin (thin) filaments with Tm and CaD caused no significant changes in the level of myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation. We thus conclude that Tm and CaD are necessary for the full regulation of smooth muscle contraction in addition to the other regulatory systems, including the myosin-linked one.

HISTAMINE‐INDUCED PROGRESSION FROM HETEROLOGOUS TO HOMOLOGOUS DESENSITIZATION OF CONTRACTION IN SMOOTH MUSCLE OF GUINEA‐PIG TAENIA CAECI

1. We have reported previously that, in the smooth muscle of guinea-pig taenia caeci, the development of carbachol-induced desensitization to carbachol and histamine has a similar time-course whereas desensitization to high K(+) is interrupted by sustained resensitization. 2. In the present study, we evaluated the development of histamine-induced desensitization to histamine, carbachol and high K(+) with respect to their regulation by resensitization, and compared it with carbachol-induced desensitization. 3. Desensitization to histamine developed following pretreatment with 10(-5) mol/L histamine for 30 min with a tendency of transient interruption by resensitization at 1 min. In contrast, histamine-induced desensitization to carbachol and high K(+) was transient, peaking at around 15 s and 2 min, respectively, followed by sustained resensitization up to complete restoration within 2 and 10 min, respectively. 4. Thus, in contrast with carbachol, histamine initially induces heterologous desensitization, followed by sustained resensitization to carbachol and high K(+), resulting in selective and sustained homologous desensitization to histamine. 5. Thus, differences in the development of histamine- and carbachol-induced heterologous desensitization/resensitization contribute to the selective regulation of receptor-mediated signal transduction pathways.

Effects of equinatoxin II on isolated guinea pig taenia caeci muscle contractility and intracellular Ca 2+

Equinatoxin II (EqT II) is a ∼20 kDa cytotoxic and cytolytic protein isolated from the sea anemone Actinia equina. When injected intravenously to rats the toxin has been reported to produce a rapid cardiorespiratory arrest. In the present study, we show that EqT II increases the tension of spontaneous contractions and induces long-lasting contracture of guinea pig taenia caeci muscle. In taenia caeci, dissociated smooth muscle cells, microspectrofluorometric measurements, using the Ca 2+ indicator fura-2/AM, revealed that the toxin causes a marked increase in intracellular calcium, provided Ca 2+ is present in the external medium. The increase in intracellular Ca 2+ by EqT II was not blocked or diminished by the calcium channel blocker verapamil. Furthermore, pre-treatment of smooth muscle cells with Ca 2+-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin, or exposure of the cells to a high K + (75 mM) medium did not prevent EqT II-induced intracellular Ca 2+ increases. Replacement of external sodium by sucrose markedly modified the time course of Ca 2+ signals suggesting the involvement of the Na +/Ca 2+ exchanger in EqT II action. Our results strongly suggest that EqT II-induced increase in intracellular Ca 2+ and muscle tension are both dependent on the ability of EqT II to insert into the membrane and form pores allowing Ca 2+ influx into the cells. To our knowledge this is the first report showing that EqT II causes contraction and contracture of taenia caeci muscles and increases intracellular Ca 2+ in smooth muscle cells.

CONTINUOUS INFUSION OF SIVELESTAT SODIUM HYDRATE PREVENTS LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE‐INDUCED INTESTINAL PARALYSIS AND HYPOTENSION IN CONSCIOUS GUINEA‐PIGS

1. Sivelestat sodium hydrate (sivelestat), a neutrophil elastase inhibitor, is used to treat acute lung injury associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome, but its effects have not been described for endotoxaemia. In the present study, we examined the effects of a continuous infusion of sivelestat on intestinal mechanical activity and blood pressure using an endotoxaemic model in conscious, unrestrained guinea-pigs. 2. Guinea-pigs underwent laparotomy while anaesthetized and were implanted with a force transducer sutured onto the taenia caecum. With this transducer, changes in tension in the intestinal longitudinal muscle were measured continuously via telemetry. Catheters were inserted into the carotid artery and jugular vein, were tunnelled subcutaneously and were accessed from the back of the neck. These catheters were connected to a cannula swivel and were used to monitor arterial pressure as well as to administer drugs i.v. in conscious, unrestrained guinea-pigs. Twenty hours after surgery, guinea-pigs received a single dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) 10 min after the start of a continuous 2 h i.v. infusion of sivelestat (30 mg/kg per h) or vehicle (saline). Elastase activity before and after sivelestat or vehicle administration was measured spectrometrically using a specific synthetic substrate. 3. We confirmed that intestinal longitudinal muscle tension decreased 2-3 h after LPS administration in the control group, with a concurrent decline in blood pressure. In guinea-pigs treated with sivelestat, the LPS-induced decreases in muscle tension and blood pressure were significantly reduced. In LPS-treated control guinea-pigs, serum elastase activity was elevated and this increase was significantly attenuated by administration of sivelestat. 4. The findings from the present study suggest that sivelstat can effectively reduce intestinal dysfunction and attenuate LPS-induced decreases in blood pressure in endotoxaemia.

ROLE OF Ca2STORES IN ACETYLCHOLINE-INDUCED ALL-OR-NONE SHORTENING OF SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS FROM GUINEA-PIG TAENIA CAECUM

1. We have reported previously that isolated single smooth muscle cells from guinea-pig taenia caecum respond to acetylcholine (ACh) in an all-or-none manner. 2. To clarify the roles of intracellular Ca(2+) stores in the all-or-none response of isolated smooth muscle cells from guinea-pig taenia caecum to ACh, we examined the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3))-induced contractile response in Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin-permeabilized smooth muscle cells and the effect of depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores on the all-or-none response to ACh in intact smooth muscle cells. 3. alpha-Toxin-permeabilized smooth muscle cells responded to 3-30 nmol/L or 0.3-3 nmol/L IP(3) in the presence of 0.2 micromol/L Ca(2+) with 1 mmol/L EGTA or 0.1 mmol/L EGTA, respectively, in an all-or-none manner. These results suggest that Ca(2+) release induced by IP(3) is Ca(2+) dependent and is evoked in an all-or-none manner. 4. In the presence of the Ca(2+) ionophore A23187 (0.1 micromol/L) or the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid (1 micromol/L), the shortening of intact smooth muscle cells induced by increasing concentrations of ACh showed a graded response, but not an all-or-none response. 5. In conclusion, the results suggest that Ca(2+) release from Ca(2+) stores induced by IP(3) plays an important role in the all-or-none response of intact smooth muscle cells to ACh.

Transient Resensitization Interrupting the Development of Carbachol-induced Desensitization in Smooth Muscle of Guinea-pig Taenia Caeci: Ca<sup>2+</sup>-dependent Termination of Resensitization

It is important to clarify developmental mechanisms of desensitization because of their great significance in regulation of cellular responsiveness. We have found that carbachol-induced desensitization to carbachol develops in three successive phases in the presence of extracellular Ca(2+) in the smooth muscle of guinea pig taenia caeci: fast desensitization within 15 s, transient resensitization reaching a peak at 1 min and the subsequent re-development of desensitization to terminate resensitization for up to 30 min. In contrast, in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), desensitization develops without resensitization. To further clarify the roles of Ca(2+) in the formation of the transient resensitization phase, we examined the developmental process of carbachol-induced desensitization in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), following the induction of desensitization by a 15-s treatment with carbachol in the presence of extracellular Ca(2+). Desensitization to carbachol occurred due to pretreatment with 10(-4) M carbachol for 15 s in normal physiological solution, and continued pretreatment with carbachol in Ca(2+)-free solution containing 0.2 mM EGTA induced resensitization followed by the obscure progress of re-desensitization for up to 30 min resulting in a long-lasting phase of resensitization. These results suggest that resensitization is promptly terminated by the Ca(2+)-dependent development of subsequent desensitization for further regulation of cellular responsiveness via G(q) protein-coupled Ca(2+)-mobilizing receptors against sustained stimuli.

EFFECTS OF DIRECT HAEMOPERFUSION THROUGH FIBRES IMMOBILIZING POLYMYXIN B AND NAFAMOSTAT MESILATE ON ENDOTOXAEMIA IN CONSCIOUS GUINEA‐PIGS

1. Direct haemoperfusion through a network of fibres immobilizing polymyxin B (PMX-B) is used for the treatment of septic shock, but the mechanism underlying its clinical benefits remains unclear. The aims of the present study were to assess the actions of direct haemoperfusion through fibres immobilizing PMX-B (PMX-DHP) on the effects of exogenously administered endotoxin in conscious guinea-pigs and to examine the difference in the effects of heparin compared with nafamostat mesilate (NM) used as an anticoagulant. Although nafamostat is widely used in Japan, the agent cannot necessarily be used elsewhere in the world. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate and elucidate the effectiveness of NM compared with heparin. 2. Colonic motion was monitored continuously via telemetry using a force transducer attached to the taenia caecum, whereas blood pressure was monitored using a carotid artery catheter. To establish a haemoperfusion circuit in each freely moving and conscious guinea-pig, catheters were implanted in the carotid artery and the jugular vein, tunnelled subcutaneously, exteriorized at the back of the neck in contact with a lightweight tethering spring and attached to a swivel device at the top of the cage. On the day after the operation, lipopolysaccharide (LPS; Escherichia coli, O111:B4; 1 mg/kg) was administered i.v. and PMX-DHP was conducted for 2 h. Heparin (50 IU/h) or NM (0.4 mg/h) was used as the anticoagulant. Furthermore, guinea-pigs were administered a lethal dose of LPS (10 mg/kg) and the survival rate was examined for animals undergoing PMX-DHP compared with control animals. 3. In guinea-pigs treated with PMX-DHP, relaxation of colonic longitudinal muscle caused by LPS was significantly suppressed, as were decreases in blood pressure. Of the two anticoagulants used, NM was more effective than heparin. In addition, PMX-DHP significantly increased the survival rate of guinea-pigs that received potentially lethal doses of LPS. 4. In conscious and unrestrained guinea-pig endotoxaemia model, PMX-DHP significantly improved intestinal paralysis and decreases in blood pressure. These effects were augmented more by NM than by heparin when an anticoagulant was used in the perfusion process. These findings suggest that haemoperfusion using PMX and NM performed in the early stage of endotoxaemia is an effective treatment.

DESENSITIZATION OF GUINEA‐PIG TAENIA CAECI SMOOTH MUSCLE INDUCED BY A LOW CONCENTRATION OF CARBACHOL

1. In guinea-pig taenia caeci smooth muscle we have found that 10(-4) mol/L carbachol-induced desensitization to muscarinic agonists develops within 15-30 s, followed by transient resensitization at 1 min, whereas the desensitization to depolarizing high K(+) develops with maximal desensitization at 1 min followed by sustained resensitization up to 30 min. In both cases, Ca(2+)-dependent processes play a crucial role in determining the development of desensitization. 2. To elucidate whether these peculiar processes of desensitization/resensitization may be induced by a lower concentration of carbachol, we examined the development of desensitization induced by 10(-6) mol/L carbachol, because at this concentration carbachol is known to induce biphasic changes in intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations, with a smaller transient increase followed by a larger sustained increase than seen with 10(-4) mol/L carbachol. 3. Contractile responses to muscarinic agonists (carbachol or AHR-602) and high K(+) were desensitized by pretreatment with 10(-6) mol/L carbachol for 30 min in a manner dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca(2+). 4. The development of 10(-6) mol/L carbachol-induced desensitization to these muscarinic agonists in the presence of extracellular Ca(2+) showed three successive phases: fast desensitization within 30 s, followed by transient resensitization at 1 min and the subsequent development of desensitization up to 30 min. In contrast, desensitization to high K(+) did not develop up to 10 min and significant desensitization occurred at 30 min, with no apparent resensitization phase. 5. These results suggest that the characteristics of the Ca(2+)-dependent development of desensitization to muscarinic agonists, but not to high K(+), are well maintained in desensitization induced by a lower concentration of carbachol.

Intracellular calcium stores in β-escin skinned rat and guinea-pig bladders

Intracellular Ca 2+ stores in rat and guinea-pig bladders and taenia caecum were studied in β-escin skinned smooth muscle strips. 30 min of skinning with 40 μM and 80 μM β-escin were the best parameters found to obtain good calcium response curves (10 − 7 –10 − 4 M) in rat and guinea pig, respectively. Calmodulin (1 μM) increased the calcium contractions significantly. pCa 6 was used to load intracellular stores and application of carbachol (50 μM) in all tissues then only contracted the tissues in the presence of guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP; 100 μM). Inositol triphosphate (IP 3; 50 μM), applied after pCa 6, contracted all tissues. Carbachol added after IP 3 or heparin (1 mg/ml) no longer caused a contraction in any of them. In bladders, caffeine (30 mM) but not ryanodine (5 μM) prevented the subsequent carbachol contraction. A slowly rising contraction with carbachol was elicited after caffeine (30 mM) or ryanodine (5 μM) in the taenia and after ryanodine in the bladders. Caffeine (30 mM) suppressed the calcium response curves in all tissues. Procaine (30 mM) blocked the carbachol (50 μM) contractions in bladders but not in taenia. These results suggest that calcium induced calcium release (CICR) and IP 3 induced calcium release (IICR) release calcium from a common store in bladder but two different compartments in taenia.

DIFFERENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CARBACHOL‐INDUCED DESENSITIZATION IN RECEPTOR‐MEDIATED Ca2+ INFLUX AND Ca2+ RELEASE PATHWAYS IN SMOOTH MUSCLE OF GUINEA‐PIG TAENIA CAECI

1. We have found that development of carbachol (CCh)-induced desensitization to receptor agonists, but not to receptor by-passed stimulation, is transiently interrupted by a Ca2+-dependent resensitization during the early stage in the smooth muscle of guinea-pig taenia caeci. To further characterize the receptor-mediated signal transduction pathways involved in this peculiar desensitization process, we examined the desensitization processes during Ca2+ influx- and Ca2+ release-mediated contractions in response to activation of muscarinic receptors or histamine H1 receptors. 2. Desensitization treatment with 10(-4) mol/L CCh for 30 min in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ resulted in desensitization to the muscarinic agonists McN-A-343 or AHR-602, which are known to induce contraction only in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ in taenia caeci. The development of desensitization to these agonists was interrupted by a transient resensitization at 1 min. In contrast, the transient resensitization phase was lost following removal of extracellular Ca2+ during the desensitization treatment with CCh; under these conditions, the desensitization developed gradually without an apparent resensitization phase. 3. Contractions to 10(-4) mol/L CCh and 10(-4) mol/L histamine in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ were gradually desensitized without a resensitization phase following the CCh desensitization treatment, irrespective of the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+ during CCh treatment, although the onset of the desensitization was delayed under Ca2+-free conditions. 4. These results suggest that the receptor-mediated Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ release pathways are differentially desensitized to CCh and that the transient resensitization appears to regulate the desensitization process in response to Ca2+ influx-mediated contraction. Such differential processes of desensitization in receptor-mediated bifurcated signalling pathways may determine cellular responsiveness to certain types of stimuli, depending on the different Ca2+ sources required for contraction.