Mechanical Properties of the Longitudinal and Circular Muscle in the Earthworm

1971 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-110
Author(s):  
N. TASHIRO

1. The mechanical properties of the longitudinal and circular muscles of the earthworm, Pheretima communissima, were studied in various solutions. 2. In the longitudinal muscle, field stimulation elicited two distinct waves of tension development, i.e. phasic and tonic contractions. But in the circular muscle, these components were not distinguishable. 3. The phasic contraction in the longitudinal muscle increased in sodium-free (tris) solution while the tonic contraction was abolished. Neither the phasic nor the tonic contraction, however, was influenced by tetrodotoxin (3 x 10-6 M), d-tubocurarine (1.4 x 10-5M), or atropine (3.5 x 10-5 M). 4. The contraction in the circular muscle was suppressed in sodium-free solution and also by tetrodotoxin (3 x 10-6 M), but was not affected by d-tubocurarine (1.4 x 10-5 M) or by atropine (3.5 x 10-5M). 5. It is speculated that the phasic contraction of the longitudinal muscle is triggered by a calcium spike, and the contraction in the circular muscle is preceded by a sodium spike in muscle fibres.

1971 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-122
Author(s):  
N. TASHIRO ◽  
T. YAMAMOTO

1. In extension of preceding studies on the mechanical properties of the longitudinal muscle fibres of the earthworm, the phasic and tonic contractions were analysed under various conditions. 2. The phasic contractions appeared on the tonic contraction which was maintained at a steady level by repetitive stimulation, and the tonic contraction decayed very slowly after cessation of stimulation. 3. The length-tension curve indicated that the phasic and tonic contractions were both affected similarly by changing the muscle length. 4. The mechanical ‘active state’ was investigated during the phasic and tonic contractions by means of the quick-release method. During the phasic contraction the ability to redevelop the tension was observed. During the early phase of the tonic contraction the muscle was in the ‘active state’, but the tonic contraction continued even after the tension redevelopment had nearly ceased. 5. The tonic contraction was absent when the temperature was raised to about 30 °C. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (2.5 x 10-6 M) decreased the tonic more than the phasic contraction. The tonic contraction disappeared completely in the presence of acetylcholine (5.5 x 10-4 M), while the phasic contraction was reduced but not abolished. γ-aminobutyric acid (10-6 to 5 x 10-4 M) had no effect on the contractions. 6. Transition-metal ions suppressed mainly the phasic contraction in the order of Mn2+ > Co2+ > Ni2+. The decrease in the phasic contraction was proportional to the logarithm of concentration of added divalent cations. The tonic contraction was also reduced but at higher concentration than the phasic contraction. 7. It is postulated that, by depolarization produced by electrical stimulation or by acetylcholine, calcium ions are released from the plasma membrane and also from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The phasic contraction might be generated mainly by calcium ions released from the membrane, and the tonic contraction might be caused mainly by calcium ions released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.


1969 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. HIDAKA ◽  
H. KURIYAMA ◽  
T. YAMAMOTO

1. A study of the mechanical properties of longitudinal muscle in relation to the membrane properties was carried out under isometric conditions. 2. When the stimulus duration exceeded 50 msec., active tension development was followed by sustained contraction. The sustained contractions were not related to spike generation. 3. The critical potassium concentration to produce the contracture depolarized the membrane from -36 to -20 mV. 4. Reduced sodium concentration and increased calcium and increased potassium (up to 27 mM) concentrations enhanced the amplitude of the active tension. 5. Reduced sodium concentration enhanced the amplitude and duration of the sustained tension, but increased potassium and calcium concentrations reduced them. 6. Caffeine (12 mM) induced contractures of the muscle, and reduced the membrane resistance and capacitance. 7. Spikes were not elicited by intracellular stimulation. 8. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (10-5 g./ml.) blocked the generation of the sustained contraction but no effect was observed on the phasic tension.


1990 ◽  
Vol 258 (3) ◽  
pp. G344-G351 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Tottrup ◽  
A. Forman ◽  
P. Funch-Jensen ◽  
U. Raundahl ◽  
K. E. Andersson

Smooth muscle strips representing longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and esophageal body (EB) of the human esophagus were prepared. The strips were mounted in organ baths and isometric tension was recorded. Square wave stimulation was applied through platinum electrodes. Only responses abolished by tetrodotoxin (TTX) were considered neurogenic. Strips taken from longitudinal muscle layers of the EB and EGJ contracted during field stimulation. The responses evoked were abolished by atropine, and optimal frequency of stimulation was 40 Hz. In strips taken from the circular muscle layer of the EB, a contraction occurred after cessation of the stimulus. Atropine inhibited 90% of this response; the optimal stimulation frequency was 40 Hz. When a tone was induced in strips from this layer, a TTX-sensitive relaxation was seen during field stimulation. During stimulation of strips from the EGJ circular muscle layer, which was the only preparation developing spontaneous active tone, a relaxation was seen. A small contraction followed after termination of the stimulus. The relaxation, which was nonadrenergic, noncholinergic, reached maximum at 10 Hz. Atropine inhibited 40% of the contraction. The results suggest that in the longitudinal muscle layer of the human lower esophagus field stimulation causes postganglionic nerves to release transmitter(s) acting on muscarinic receptors. The responses of circular muscle layers seem to be mediated through release of at least two transmitters.


1980 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-248
Author(s):  
ALLEN MANGEL ◽  
C. LADD PROSSER

The intact stomach of the toad initiates rhythmic slow-spikes of 5–15 s duration and frequency of 3-5 min−1. The spontaneous electrical waves originate in the longitudinal muscle layer; isolated circular muscle is quiescent. Aboral conduction velocity is 0.12–0.9 mm s−1. Reduction of external sodium concentration from 89.5 to 15 mM produced no effect on slow spikes, although further reduction to 1.5 mM increased frequency and decreased amplitude. Slow-spikes were unaffected by ouabain or by incubation in potassium-free solution. When calcium in the medium was reduced, slow-spike amplitude and frequency decreased. Slow-spikes exhibited a change in amplitude of 16 mV per decade change in CaO2+; slow-spikes were eliminated at 10−8 M CaO2+ and by blockers of calcium conductance channels. Intact intestine of toad demonstrated slow-waves which resembled those of mammalian intestine. These were sensitive to changes in external sodium and were eliminated by 1 × 10−4M ouabain. It is suggested that rhythmic slow-spikes of longitudinal smooth muscle of amphibian stomach may result from periodic changes in Ca conductance whereas endogenous electrical waves of intestine may result from rhythmic extrusion of sodium.


1988 ◽  
Vol 255 (6) ◽  
pp. G787-G793
Author(s):  
A. Merlo ◽  
S. Cohen

Mechanical properties and responses to neuropeptides were compared for proximal and distal feline colonic muscle. Proximal longitudinal (PL), proximal circular (PC), distal longitudinal (DL), and distal circular (DC) muscles were studied in vitro under isometric conditions. Total tension in DL [1.636 +/- 0.009 (SE) kg/cm2] was greater than in DC (0.699 +/- 0.004 kg/cm2) or PC (0.710 +/- 0.005 kg/cm2, P less than 0.05). Longitudinal muscle developed proportionately more active tension than circular muscle at each region (80.9% in DL vs. 54.1% in DC and 77.1% in PL vs. 52.3% in PC, P less than 0.01). Neuropeptides varied in potency and efficacy. Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) was the most potent and efficacious in PL and substance P was the most efficacious in PC muscle (P less than 0.05). Substance P was more efficacious whereas CCK-8 and neurotensin were less efficacious in PC than PL muscle (P less than 0.01). DL muscle did not respond to CCK-8. DC muscle did not respond to CCK-8 or neurotensin. Isometric contractions to each neuropeptide were insensitive to tetrodotoxin. We conclude that 1) mechanical properties of circular and longitudinal colonic muscle differ and 2) responses to neuropeptides depend on anatomic region and intrinsic properties.


1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (1) ◽  
pp. G22-G28 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Jimenez ◽  
P. Vergara ◽  
F. Christinck ◽  
E. E. Daniel

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action of somatostatin on the circular muscle of the isolated canine ileum using the microelectrode technique. The membrane potential from circular muscle cells was recorded in two preparations: 1) whole thickness circular and longitudinal muscle (with intact myenteric and deep muscular plexuses, n = 13) and 2) isolated circular muscle (with only deep muscular plexus, n = 9). In this preparation, inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs), elicited after field stimulation, are mediated by a nitric oxide-related (NO-R) compound. Somatostatin (10(-6) M) transiently (2-5 min) depolarized the circular muscle cells in both whole thickness (3.6 +/- 1.0 mV, P < 0.01) and isolated circular muscle preparations (8.0 +/- 0.8 mV, P < 0.01). Somatostatin did not reduce either the amplitude or duration of the IJP in the isolated circular muscle but reduced slow-wave amplitude. In contrast, a reduction (20-50%) in the amplitude of the IJP was observed in the whole thickness preparation, and there was little effect on slow-wave amplitude. Somatostatin did not affect the induced slow wave observed in the whole thickness preparation after field stimulation. Apamin significantly reduced the amplitude of the IJP in both preparations. Somatostatin (10(-6) M) did not modify the apamin-resistant IJP. A reduction in the slow-wave amplitude was observed in the isolated circular muscle preparation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (6) ◽  
pp. G745-G750
Author(s):  
J. R. Herman ◽  
P. Bass

We determined length-stress properties and active tension development of rat jejunal longitudinal and circular muscle at various times after myenteric neuron ablation. Myenteric neurons were destroyed by serosal application of benzalkonium chloride. Active tension generation in response to both carbachol and barium was depressed in both muscle layers up to 7 days after treatment, at which times the responses were normal. At 15 days, circular muscle responses were still comparable to control, but longitudinal muscle responses were significantly increased. Length-stress parameters of circular muscle were minimally affected, while those of longitudinal muscle were significantly altered 15 and 30 days after treatment. These alterations include changes in resting stress and increased active stress generation at both times. Our results suggest that 1) normal myenteric innervation is necessary for normal contractile activity in rat jejunal smooth muscle and 2) changes in cellular or tissue morphology or alterations in intracellular calcium homeostasis, as seen in other tissue, may occur after myenteric plexus ablation.


1991 ◽  
Vol 260 (4) ◽  
pp. G615-G624 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Hirose ◽  
Y. Ito

We examined the intrinsic motor innervation of the guinea pig choledochoduodenal junction and actions of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-OP) on contractile and membrane activity of circular and longitudinal smooth muscles from three different areas: close to the choledochal sphincter (I); central area in the ampulla (II); and close to the duodenal papilla (III). In response to electrical field stimulation, circular muscle strips showed an initial twitchlike contraction followed by relaxation in areas I and II and only a transient relaxation in the muscle strips prepared from area III. In the longitudinal strips, the regional differences in response to the field stimulation were not prominent, and biphasic twitchlike contractions were observed in areas I, II, and III. Electric field stimulation evoked excitatory junction potentials (EJPs), inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs), or biphasic membrane response (initial EJP followed by an IJP) in the circular and longitudinal smooth muscle cells. Prominent regional differences were observed in areas I, II, and III. Namely, in area III both the circular and longitudinal muscle layers IJPs predominated, whereas in area I the response was predominantly excitatory. CCK-OP (greater than 10-8M) evoked repetitive action potentials in the circular muscle cells, and CCK-OP increased the frequency of slow waves or the spontaneous action potentials in longitudinal muscle cells. CCK-OP enhanced the amplitude of the IJPs and EJPs in both muscle layers. It would thus appear that bile flow is controlled by complex combinations of contraction and relaxation of the smooth muscle that may be due to regional differences in excitatory and inhibitory innervations.


1977 ◽  
Vol 233 (1) ◽  
pp. E28
Author(s):  
S Anuras ◽  
J Christensen ◽  
A R Cooke

The duodenums of opossums and cats were cut into strips 2 mm wide and 2-2.5 cm long. Strips cut in the direction of the oral-caudal axis were called longitudinal strips, and those cut at 90 degrees to that axis were called circular strips. Each muscle strip was stimulated with trains of electrical rectangular pulses (10 Hz, 50-70 V, 0.5 ms). In the longitudinal strips, electrical field stimulation caused contraction, and this contraction was abolished by atropine, 10(-7) M. In the circular strips, electrical field stimulation caused relaxation. This relaxation was abolished by tetrodotoxin, 10(-7) M, but it was not affected by antagonists to adrenergic and cholinergic transmission, nor by some gastrointestinal hormones. Reserpinization of the opossums or alteration of the frequencies of electrical field stimulation from 0.1-50 Hz did not affect or alter the relaxation of the circular strips or the contraction of the longitudinal strips. These findings suggest that the longitudinal muscle is dominated by an excitatory cholinergic innervation, and the circular muscle is dominated by a nonadrenergic, noncholinergic inhibitory innervation.


1969 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-430
Author(s):  
T. HIDAKA ◽  
Y. ITO ◽  
H. KURIYAMA ◽  
N. TASHIRO

1. The properties of the miniature inhibitory junction potentials (M.I.J.P.) and the inhibitory junction potentials (I.J.P.) elicited by nerve stimulation were investigated in longitudinal muscle fibres of the earthworm. 2. Histograms of the amplitudes(mean,0.71mV.) and the intervals (mean, 101 msec.) of the M.I.J.P. showed skew curves. 3. The polarity of the M.I.J.P. was reversed at about -60 mV. When the external chloride was substituted by glutamate the M.I.J.P. disappeared as an external chloride concentration of 15-20 mM, and further reduction reversed their polarity. 4. Picrotoxin blocked generation of the M.I.J.P. and the I.J.P. 5. The cross-over point of the current-voltage relation curves, with and without presence of GABA, occurred at a membrane potential of -54 mV. in potassium-free solution, and at -56 mV. in potassium-excess solution. 6. Iontophoretic application of GABA produced slow hyperpolarization. The equilibrium potential of the GABA-potential was about -60 mV. During the time course of the GABA-potentials an increase in the membrane conductance was observed. 7. Miniature excitatory junction potentials (M.E.J.P.) and excitatory junction potentials (E.J.P.) could be recorded from the longitudinal muscle, but the M.E.J.P. were rare. 8. D-tubocurarine, but not atropine, completely blocked the M.E.J.P. and E.J.P. Prostigmine enhanced their amplitude and duration. 9. The reversal potential level for the E.J.P. was about 0 mV. Sodium-free solution lowered the reversal potential level for the M.E.J.P. to -20 mV.


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