NEUROKININ-3 RECEPTOR REGULATION OF ACETYLCHOLINE-RELEASE FROM MYENTERIC PLEXUS

This study sought to characterize the action of neurokinin B (NKB) and senktide, a selective synthetic agonist for NK, receptors, on the myenteric plexus of the guinea pig small intestine. Both peptides stimulated a dose-dependent release of [H-3]acetylcholine (ACh). The mean effective dose values were 1 x 10(-9) for NKB and 3 x 10(-11) M for senktide. The action of these two neurokinins was blocked by the removal of Ca2+ and was sensitive to tetrodotoxin. The release of [H-3]ACh was antagonized by omega-conotoxin GVIA, implying the involvement of N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels. Senktide-evoked ACh release was also insensitive to nifedipine or flunarizine but was blocked by diltiazem. Treatment with protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors (H-7 and polymyxin B) or activators (12-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate and SC-9) failed to alter the NK3 receptor-mediated ACh output. Our data did not support an action mediated via PKC upon the activation of NK3 receptors on myenteric cholinergic neurons.