PGE2 hyperpolarizes gallbladder neurons and inhibits synaptic potentials in gallbladder ganglia

1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (3) ◽  
pp. G493-G502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee J. Jennings ◽  
Gary M. Mawe

Gallbladder prostaglandin E2(PGE2) levels are significantly elevated in pathophysiological conditions, resulting in changes in gallbladder motility or secretion that may involve actions of the prostanoid in intramural ganglia. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of PGE2 on neurons of the intramural ganglia of the guinea pig gallbladder. Application of PGE2 by microejection or superfusion elicited a complex triphasic change in the resting membrane potential (RMP). For example, application of PGE2 by microejection (100 μM) resulted in a brief hyperpolarization (mean duration 11.1 ± 1.3 s), followed by a mid-phase repolarization toward or above RMP (mean duration 50.7 ± 8.1 s), and finally a long-lasting hyperpolarization (mean duration 157.3 ± 36.7 s). Associated with these PGE2-evoked alterations in RMP were changes in input resistance measured via injection of hyperpolarizing current pulses. An examination of the action potential afterhyperpolarization (AHP) during the PGE2-evoked response revealed an attenuation of both the amplitude and duration of the AHP. However, only a slight increase in excitability of gallbladder neurons in the presence of PGE2 was evident in response to depolarizing current pulses, and PGE2 did not cause the cells to fire spontaneous action potentials. Application of PGE2 reduced the amplitudes of both fast and slow excitatory synaptic potentials. These results suggest that increased prostaglandin production may decrease ganglionic output and therefore contribute to gallbladder stasis.

1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (6) ◽  
pp. C1927-C1934 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Sankaranarayanan ◽  
S. M. Simasko

We have used the perforated-patch variation of whole cell patch-clamp techniques, measurements of cytosolic calcium with use of fura 2, and secretion measurements with use of the reverse-hemolytic plaque assay to address the role of depolarizing background currents in maintaining spontaneous action potentials and spontaneous secretion from rat lactotrophs in primary culture. Replacement of bath sodium with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane or N-methyl-D-glucamine caused a dramatic hyperpolarization of the cells, a cessation of spontaneous action potentials, and an increase in input resistance of cells. Tetrodotoxin had no effect on spontaneous action potentials, and removal of bath calcium stopped spiking but did not hyperpolarize the cells. The hyperpolarization in response to removal of bath sodium was associated with a decrease in cytosolic calcium levels. Finally, removal of bath sodium caused a decrease in spontaneous secretion of prolactin from lactotrophs. These data suggest that a background sodium current is essential to drive the membrane to threshold for firing spontaneous calcium-dependent action potentials in lactotrophs. This, in turn, results in elevated intracellular calcium, which supports spontaneous secretion of prolactin from these cells.


1987 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
C H Orchard ◽  
S R Houser ◽  
A A Kort ◽  
A Bahinski ◽  
M C Capogrossi ◽  
...  

Previous studies have shown that acidosis increases myoplasmic [Ca2+] (Cai). We have investigated whether this facilitates spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release and its functional sequelae. In unstimulated rat papillary muscles, exposure to an acid solution (produced by increasing the [CO2] of the perfusate from 5 to 20%) caused a rapid increase in the mean tissue Cai, as measured by the photoprotein aequorin. This was paralleled by an increase in spontaneous microscopic tissue motion caused by localized Ca2+ myofilament interactions, as monitored in fluctuations in the intensity of laser light scattered by the muscle. In regularly stimulated muscles, acidosis increased the size of the Ca2+ transient associated with each contraction and caused the appearance of Cai oscillations in the diastolic period. In unstimulated single myocytes, acidosis depolarized the resting membrane potential by approximately 5 mV and enhanced the frequency of spontaneous contractile waves. The small sarcolemmal depolarization associated with each contractile wave increased and occasionally initiated spontaneous action potentials. In regularly stimulated myocytes, acidosis caused de novo spontaneous contractile waves between twitches; these waves were associated with a decrease in the amplitude of the subsequent stimulated twitch. Ryanodine (2 microM) abolished all evidence of spontaneous Ca2+ release during acidosis, markedly reduced the acidosis-induced increase in aequorin light, and reduced resting tension. We conclude that acidosis increases the likelihood for the occurrence of spontaneous SR Ca2+ release, which can cause spontaneous action potentials, increase resting tension, and negatively affect twitch tension.


2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (3) ◽  
pp. G622-G630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason M. Hemming ◽  
Fay A. Guarraci ◽  
Tracy A. Firth ◽  
Lee J. Jennings ◽  
Mark T. Nelson ◽  
...  

Histamine is an inflammatory mediator present in mast cells, which are abundant in the wall of the gallbladder. We examined the electrical properties of gallbladder smooth muscle and nerve associated with histamine-induced changes in gallbladder tone. Recordings were made from gallbladder smooth muscle and neurons, and responses to histamine and receptor subtype-specific compounds were tested. Histamine application to intact smooth muscle produced a concentration-dependent membrane depolarization and increased excitability. In the presence of the H2 antagonist ranitidine, the response to histamine was potentiated. Activation of H2 receptors caused membrane hyperpolarization and elimination of spontaneous action potentials. The H2response was attenuated by the ATP-sensitive K+(KATP) channel blocker glibenclamide in intact and isolated smooth muscle. Histamine had no effect on the resting membrane potential or excitability of gallbladder neurons. Furthermore, neither histamine nor the H3 agonist R-α-methylhistamine altered the amplitude of the fast excitatory postsynaptic potential in gallbladder ganglia. The mast cell degranulator compound 48/80 caused a smooth muscle depolarization that was inhibited by the H1 antagonist mepyramine, indicating that histamine released from mast cells can activate gallbladder smooth muscle. In conclusion, histamine released from mast cells can act on gallbladder smooth muscle, but not in ganglia. The depolarization and associated contraction of gallbladder smooth muscle represent the net effect of activation of both H1 (excitatory) and H2 (inhibitory) receptors, with the H2receptor-mediated response involving the activation of KATPchannels.


1987 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. S. Richards ◽  
J. Ousterhout ◽  
N. Sperelakis ◽  
C. G. Murlas

Using intracellular microelectrodes, we investigated whether exogenous dibutyryl adenosine 3 ′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP) or forskolin influenced the electrical effects of tetraethylammonium (TEA) on canine tracheal smooth muscle. We found that 20 mM TEA depolarized airway smooth muscle cells from a resting membrane potential (Em) of -59 +/- 4 mV (mean +/- SD) to -45 +/- 2 mV and caused spontaneous action potentials (AP's) to develop, which were 33 +/- 2 mV in amplitude. These were totally abolished in 0 Ca2+ solution. DBcAMP (1 mM) suppressed the development of this TEA-induced electrical activity and the phasic contractions electrically coupled to it. DBcAMP had no significant effect on Em in the absence of TEA however. Forskolin (1 microM) produced similar effects. Our findings suggest that Ca2+ is the principal ion responsible for the inward current associated with the TEA-induced AP's in airway smooth muscle, and that adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate may suppress the electrogenesis of this current.


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