PURINERGIC INNERVATION OF THE GUINEA‐PIG URINARY BLADDER

Abstract

A number of criteria for considering adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) as a neurotransmitter in the guinea‐pig urinary bladder have been examined. In addition, the effect of tachyphylaxis to ATP on the response to non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic nerve stimulation has been re‐examined. Quinacrine fluorescence histochemistry revealed a population of nerve fibres, ganglion cells, and nerve bundles in the bladder which were not seen in either the iris or vas deferens, where adrenergic and cholinergic nerves predominate. The distribution and morphology of the quinacrine‐positive nerves in the bladder were different from those observed with catecholamine fluorescence and cholinesterase histochemistry, and were unaffected by chemical sympathectomy. Release of ATP from the bladder during stimulation of intramural excitatory nerves, in the presence of atropine and guanethidine increased to 3–12 times prestimulation levels. Tetrodotoxin abolished both the contractile response and the increase in ATP release resulting from intramural nerve stimulation. There was no increase in ATP release during contraction resulting from direct muscle stimulation following nerve paralysis with tetrodotoxin. Sympathectomy with 6‐hydroxydopamine did not affect release of ATP in response to intramural nerve stimulation. Release of ATP was dependent on the concentration of calcium ion in the medium. Contractions in response to non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic intramural nerve stimulation were closely mimicked by ATP, but not by acetylcholine or histamine. Adenosine and dipyridamole reduced the contractions to both ATP and non‐cholinergic nerve stimulation. 2–2′‐Pyridylisatogen was not a specific blocker of either ATP or intramural nerve stimulation in the guinea‐pig bladder. 2‐Substituted imidazolines initiated spontaneous activity making it impossible to assess any blocking action that they may have had. Prostaglandins (E 1 E 2 and F 2a) gave weak, slow contractions and an increase in spontaneous activity. Both the response to ATP and non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic nerve stimulation were greatly potentiated in the presence of prostaglandins. In the presence of indomethacin the response to non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic nerve stimulation was virtually abolished following desensitization to ATP.