Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0403608 (ureter)
 9,655 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We have investigated the effect of the dihydropyridine calcium channel agonist, Bay K 8644, and of the plant alkaloid blocker of calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, ryanodine, on the refractory period, action potential and mechanical response of the guinea-pig isolated ureter to electrical stimulation. All experiments were performed in ureters pre-exposed to 10 microM capsaicin to eliminate the inhibitory influence exerted by local release of sensory neuropeptides on ureteral excitability and contraction. In organ bath experiments, electrical field stimulation with parameters which produce direct excitation of ureteral smooth muscle (train of pulses at 10 Hz, 5 ms pulse width, 60 V for 1 s) produced tetrodotoxin- (1 microM) resistant phasic contractions. The response to EFS was abolished by nifedipine (1 nM-3 microM) and was enhanced by Bay K 8644 (1 nM-3 microM). In the presence of Bay K 8644 (1 microM), nifedipine (30 microM) abolished the evoked contractions. Ryanodine (10-100 microM) had no significant effect on the amplitude of evoked contraction. The response of the guinea-pig ureter to direct electrical stimulation of smooth muscle is characterized by a refractory period: at least 40 s interstimulus interval was required to produce a second response in all preparations tested. Bay K 8644 (1 microM) markedly reduced the refractory period of the ureter and a similar effect was observed with ryanodine (100 microM). To further analyze the effect of Bay K 8644 and ryanodine on the refractory period, the response of the ureter was investigated over a 10 s period of stimulation (other parameters as above). In control ureters, continuous stimulation for 10 s produced only one phasic contraction just after the beginning of the train of stimuli. In the presence of Bay K 8644 or ryanodine, more than one phasic contraction developed during a 10 s stimulation, i.e. the refractory period became shorter than the train duration. When both Bay K 8644 and ryanodine were tested on the same preparations, an additive excitatory effect was observed on the mechanical response to electrical stimulation. A slight elevation of KCl concentration (5-10 mM) reduced the refractory period of the ureter as observed with ryanodine or Bay K 8644. Application of KCl (80 mM) produced a biphasic contractile response of the ureter: a series of phasic contractions occurred first, which were then replaced by a slowly developing tonic response. Bay K 8644 (1 microM) enhanced both components of the response to KCl. Ryanodine (10 and 100 microM) markedly prolonged the duration of phasic contractions evoked by KCl and, at 100 microM, slightly (about 25%) reduced the amplitude of tonic contraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Effect of Bay K 8644 and ryanodine on the refractory period, action potential and mechanical response of the guinea-pig ureter to electrical stimulation. 752 May 36

1. We have investigated the effect of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), on electromechanical coupling in the guinea-pig ureter. All experiments were performed in capsaicin-pretreated (10 microM for 15 min) ureters to prevent the release of sensory neuropeptides from afferent nerves. 2. In organ bath experiments, electrical field stimulation (EFS, 10 Hz for 1 s, 5 ms pulse width, 60 V) produced tetrodotoxin- (1 microM) resistant phasic contractions which were enhanced by Bay K 8644 (1 microM) and abolished by nifedipine (10-30 microM). 3. CPA (10 microM) enhanced the EFS-evoked contractions both in the absence and presence of Bay K 8644. The effect of CPA was concentration-dependent between 1 and 30 microM. The response to 10 microM CPA was biphasic: the maximal enhancement (58 +/- 3% increase) was observed within 10-20 min from CPA administration, followed by a decline to a new steady state (25 +/- 5% increase over baseline) at 50-60 min. The effect of CPA was reversed by washout. 4. Ryanodine (100 microM) produced a prompt enhancement of the EFS-evoked contractions of the guinea-pig ureter, which peaked at 42 +/- 3% increase over baseline; the co-administration of CPA (10 microM) and ryanodine (100 microM) produced a peak effect (60 +/- 8% enhancement) which was not different from that produced by CPA alone. With either ryanodine alone or ryanodine plus CPA, the enhancement of the EFS-induced contractions was biphasic, showing a time-course similar to that observed with CPA alone. Tetraethylammonium (10 mM) produced a significantly larger effect (93 +/- 13% increase over baseline) and its effect was sustained throughout the 60 min observation period. 5. In the presence of Bay K 8644, superfusion for 30 min with a low Na+ medium (60% of extracellular Na+ replaced by Li+ or choline) reduced the amplitude of EFS-evoked contractions by 20-35%. In both Li(+)- and choline-substituted media, spontaneous activity developed during superfusion with low Na+ Krebs solution which was suppressed by 10 microM nifedipine. CPA (10 microM) produced a marked enhancement of the EFS-evoked contractions in low-Na+ medium (both Li(+)- and choline-substituted) and this effect was sustained throughout the 60 min observation period. 6. In the absence of Bay K 8644, the response of the ureter smooth muscle to EFS is characterized by a refractory period: an interval of about 30 s was required between two applied stimuli to produce a second response comparable in size to that elicited by the first stimulus. CPA (10 micro M, 10-20 min before)markedly reduced the refractory period of the guinea-pig ureter to EFS.7. CPA (10 micro M, 30-60 min before) increased the phasic component of contraction produced by 80 m MKCl. The tonic component of the response to KCl was slightly but not significantly reduced by CPA,and a 'hump' in the tonic contraction was observed at 1-2 min from addition of KCl.8. In sucrose gap experiments, 10 micro M CPA produced a sustained depolarization of the membrane and reduced the latency between application of electrical stimuli and onset of the action potential; these effects were maintained throughout the 60 min superfusion with CPA. CPA also transiently prolonged the plateau phase of the action potential and increased the peak amplitude of contraction: these effects peaked at about 10-20 min from start of superfusion with CPA and then declined. At the peak of its enhancing effect on contraction amplitude, CPA prolonged the contractile phase of the contraction relaxation cycle.9.Superfusion with a low-Na, choline-substituted Krebs solution produced a reversible membrane depolarization. In the presence of Bay K 8644 (1 micro M), action potentials and phasic contractions were superimposed on this depolarization which were abolished by nifedipine (1O micro M).10. These findings indicate that CPA augments the excitability and affects the contraction-relaxation cycle of the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig ureter, implying a role for sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase in the regulation of electromechanical coupling. The effects of CPA resemble those produced by ryanodine and the effect of the two agents on the amplitude of contractions is non-additive.It appears that following blockade of the CPA-sensitive SR Ca2+ pump, other mechanism(s) may come into action to reduce intracellular Ca2+. The Na+/Ca2+ exchanger could be involved in the compensatory changes responsible for the fading of the response to CPA.
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PMID:Effect of the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, cyclopiazonic acid, on electromechanical coupling in the guinea-pig ureter. 753 95

The guinea-pig ureter was placed in a three-compartment organ bath to enable the application of electrical stimuli or drugs to its renal end (R-site), the middle region (M-site) or the bladder end (B-site) while recording mechanical activity at the R- and B-sites. All experiments were performed in ureters pre-exposed to capsaicin (10 microM for 15 min) to prevent the release of sensory neuropeptides from afferent nerves. Electrical field stimulation (EFS, 5-25 ms pulse width, 20 V) produced a phasic contraction at the site of stimulation ('direct' response to EFS) which propagated to the other end of the ureter. Section of the ureter at the M-site abolished the propagated response to EFS; after section, EFS applied at the M-site induced a phasic contraction at both the R- and B-sites. Likewise, the application of KCl at the M-site produced phasic contractions at both the R- and B-sites. Tetrodotoxin (1 microM), nifedipine (1 microM) or Bay K 8644 (1 microM) applied at the M-site had no influence on the direct or propagated responses to EFS; nifedipine (10 microM) applied at the M-site abolished the propagated responses without affecting the direct responses to EFS. Bay K 8644 (1 microM) applied at the R-site produced a marked enhancement of the direct response (EFS applied at R-site) while having no effect on the amplitude of the propagated response to EFS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Propagation of impulses in the guinea-pig ureter and its blockade by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). 753 4

1. In single sucrose gap, electrical field stimulation (EFS, 1-5 Hz) produced graded hyperpolarization of the membrane of the guinea-pig ureter smooth muscle, which was blocked by tetrodotoxin (0.3 microM) or in vitro capsaicin desensitization (3 microM for 15 min). Capsaicin itself produced a transient hyperpolarization of the membrane on its first application. 2. Superfusion with human alpha calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP, 30-300 mM) likewise produced a transient hyperpolarization of the membrane, mimicking the neurogenic inhibitory junction potential (i.j.p.). The hyperpolarization by CGRP was unaffected by tetrodotoxin, indicating a postjunctional site of action. 3. Both the EFS-evoked i.j.p. and the CGRP-induced hyperpolarization were inhibited by the CGRP receptor antagonist, CGRP(8-37) (0.3-3 microM) which did not affect the hyperpolarization produced by the KATP channel opener, cromakalim (0.3 microM). 4. The KATP channel blocker, glibenclamide (1 microM) blocked both the EFS-evoked i.j.p. and the CGRP-induced hyperpolarization. 5. When evoked in a low K medium (1.2 mM, KCl being replaced by an equimolar amount of NaCl), the EFS-evoked i.j.p. and the CGRP-induced hyperpolarization were both markedly enhanced, consistent with the idea that opening of K channels underlies both responses. 6. The present findings provide direct electrophysiological evidence for a neurotransmitter role of CGRP, released from the peripheral endings of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent neurones, in the guinea-pig ureter. The action of both exogenous and endogenous CGRP involves the activation of glibenclamide-sensitive (KATP) potassium channels.
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PMID:Inhibitory transmitter action of calcitonin gene-related peptide in guinea-pig ureter via activation of glibenclamide-sensitive K channels. 783 12

1. In the guinea pig isolated ureter, a maximally effective concentration of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP, 0.1 microM) produced a prompt and transient suppression of myogenic phasic contractions (twitches) evoked by direct excitation (electrical field stimulation, EFS) of the smooth muscle. This suppressant effect is prevented by glibenclamide (1 and 10 microM), indicating the importance of K+ channel activation in its genesis. In the presence of either 1 or 10 microM glibenclamide, CGRP produced a partial (about 30%) and delayed inhibition of the evoked response, but failed to produce a full suppression of twitches. 2. The intensity and duration of the early, glibenclamide-sensitive suppressant effect of CGRP were inversely related to the frequency at which the ureters were driven by EFS. The glibenclamide-resistant inhibitory effect of CGRP was unaffected by changes in the EFS driving frequency, and cromakalim (3 microM) suppressed twitches independently of the EFS driving frequency. 3. Replacement of 80% glucose in the Krebs solution with 2-deoxyglucose (2-DOG) reduced the amplitude of the EFS-evoked twitches. In the presence of 2-DOG the inhibitory effect of CGRP was enhanced and prolonged when tested in the absence, but not in the presence, of glibenclamide. 2-DOG counteracted the inhibitory effect produced by increasing the EFS driving frequency on the response to CGRP. 4. In sucrose gap, both CGRP (0.1 microM) and cromakalim (3 microM) produced prompt hyperpolarization of the membrane. During continued superfusion for 15 min in unstimulated preparations, the hyperpolarizing effect of cromakalim and CGRP was sustained. When tested within 3 min from the end of 'exercise', induced by application of EFS at intervals of 15 sec for 30 min, the hyperpolarization by CGRP was reduced and shortened but that produced by cromakalim was unaffected. 5. These findings demonstrate that exercise and metabolic inhibition selectively influence, in opposite directions, the K+ channel opener action of CGRP in the guinea pig ureter, indicating that the ability of this neuropeptide to suppress latent pacemakers in smooth muscle is markedly dependent upon degree/frequency of cell activation. These results suggest that the ability of endogenous CGRP to suppress ureteral motility may be inversely related to the frequency of ureteral peristalsis, the effect being reduced by, for example, increase in diuresis.
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PMID:Effect of exercise and 2-deoxyglucose on the K+ channel opener action of CGRP in the guinea pig ureter. 874 2

1. The present study was designed to investigate whether potassium (K+) channels are involved in the relaxations to nitric oxide (NO) of pig intravesical ureteral preparations suspended in organ baths for isometric tension recordings. In ureteral strips treated with guanethidine (10(-5) M) and atropine (10(-7) M) to block adrenergic neurotransmission and muscarinic receptors, respectively, NO was either released from nitrergic nerves by electrical field stimulation (EFS, 0.5-10 Hz., 1 ms duration, 20 s trains), or exogenously-applied as an acidified solution of sodium nitrite (NaNO2, 10(-6)-10(-3) M). 2. Incubation with an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase activation by NO, methylene blue (10(-5) M) did not change the basal tension of intravesical ureteral strips but inhibited the relaxation induced by EFS or exogenous NO on ureteral preparations contracted with the thromboxane analogue U46619 (10(-7) M). 3. Incubation with charybdotoxin (3 x 10(-8) M) and apamin (5 x 10(-7) M), which are inhibitors of large and small conductance calcium (Ca2+)-activated K+ channels, respectively, did not modify basal tension or the relaxations induced by EFS and exogenous NO. Treatment with charybdotoxin or apamin plus methylene blue (10(-5) M) significantly reduced the relaxations to EFS and exogenous NO. However, in both cases the reductions were similar to the inhibition evoked by methylene blue alone. The combined addition of charybdotoxin plus apamin did not change the relaxations to EFS or exogenously added NO of the porcine intravesical ureter. 4. Cromakalim (10(-8) 3 x 10(-6) M), an opener of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, evoked a dose-dependent relaxation with a pD2 of 7.3 +/- 0.2 and maximum relaxant effect of a 71.8 +/- 4.2% of the contraction induced by U46619 in the pig intravesical ureter. The blocker of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, glibenclamide (10(-6) M), inhibited markedly the relaxations to cromakalim. 5. Glibenclamide (10(-6) M) had no effect on the basal tone of ureteral preparations but significantly reduced the relaxations induced by both EFS and exogenous NO. Combined treatment with methylene blue (10(-5) M) and glibenclamide (10(-6) M) did not exert an effect greater than that of methylene blue alone on either EFS- or NO-evoked relaxations of the pig ureter. 6. The present results suggest that NO acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the pig intravesical ureter and relaxes smooth muscle through a guanylate cyclase-dependent mechanism which seems to favour the opening of glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channels.
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PMID:Involvement of a glibenclamide-sensitive mechanism in the nitrergic neurotransmission of the pig intravesical ureter. 905 Dec 98

1. The present study was designed to characterize the adenosine receptors involved in the relaxation of the pig intravesical ureter, and to investigate the action of adenosine on the non adrenergic non cholinergic (NANC) excitatory ureteral neurotransmission. 2. In U46619 (10(-7) M)-contracted strips treated with the adenosine uptake inhibitor, nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBTI, 10(-6) M), adenosine and related analogues induced relaxations with the following potency order: 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) = 5'-(N-cyclopropyl)-carboxamidoadenosine (CPCA) = 2-chloroadenosine (2-CA) > adenosine > cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) = N6-(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5'-N-methylcarboxamide (IB-MECA) = 2-[p-(carboxyethyl)-phenylethylamino]-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoaden os ine (CGS21680). 3. Epithelium removal or incubation with indomethacin (3 x 10(-6) M) and L-N(G)-nitroarginine (L-NOARG, 3 x 10(-5) M), inhibitors of prostanoids and nitric oxide (NO) synthase, respectively, failed to modify the relaxations to adenosine. 4. 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX, 10(-8) M) and 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl) [1,2,4]-triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl)phenol (ZM 241385, 3 x 10(-8) M and 10(-7) M), A1 and A2A receptor selective antagonists, respectively, did not modify the relaxations to adenosine or NECA. 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT, 10(-5) M) and DPCPX (10(-6) M), which block A1/A2-receptors, reduced such relaxations. 5. In strips treated with guanethidine (10(-5) M), atropine (10(-7) M), L-NOARG (3 x 10(-5) M) and indomethacin (3 x 10(-6) M), both electrical field stimulation (EFS, 5 Hz) and exogenous ATP (10(-4) M) induced contractions of preparations. 8-PT (10(-5) M) increased both contractions. DPCPX (10(-8) M), NECA (10(-4) M), CPCA, (10(-4) M) and 2-CA (10(-4) M) did not alter the contractions to EFS. 6. The present results suggest that adenosine relaxes the pig intravesical ureter, independently of prostanoids or NO, through activation of A2B-receptors located in the smooth muscle. This relaxation may modulate the ureteral NANC excitatory neurotransmission through a postsynaptic mechanism.
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PMID:A2B adenosine receptors mediate relaxation of the pig intravesical ureter: adenosine modulation of non adrenergic non cholinergic excitatory neurotransmission. 1019 77

Expression of two isoforms of Rho-kinase (ROCK) and its functional role in the physiological control of smooth muscle contraction in the sheep ureter were investigated. Helical strips of the ureteric smooth muscle were stimulated by electrical field stimulation (EFS, 60 V, 1 mS, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 Hz, for 20 S), KCl (80 mm), carbachol (CCh, 10(-8)-10(-4) m) or phenylephrine (Phe, 10(-8)-10(-4) m). EFS produced a reproducible contractile activity, which was abolished by tetrodotoxin (3 x 10(-6) m), a Na(+) channel blocker. A muscarinic receptor antagonist, atropine (2 x 10(-6) m), and an adrenergic neuron blocker, guanethidine (10(-5) m), significantly suppressed the contraction induced by EFS. However, this contraction was augmented in the presence of N(G)-nitro-l-arginine (l-NA, 10(-4) m), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Two Rho-kinase inhibitors, Y-27632 (5 x 10(-5) m) and fasudil (5 x 10(-5) m), markedly attenuated the EFS-elicited contraction. CCh and Phe produced concentration-dependent contraction in the sheep ureter. pD(2) values for Phe and CCh were 5.04+/-0.11 and 5.00+/-0.22, respectively. Y-27632 (5 x 10(-5) m) and fasudil (5 x 10(-5) m) also significantly inhibited CCh- and Phe-induced contractions. Moreover, these ROCK inhibitors produced relaxations in the KCl-elicited contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. pD(2) values for Y-27632 and fasudil were, respectively, 5.17+/-0.07 and 4.58+/-0.08 (P<0.001). Furthermore, the influences of these agents were also tested on spontaneous phasic contractions of the tissue. Among Y-27632, fasudil, TTX, l-NA, guanethidine and atropine, only the ROCK inhibitors (10(-6)-10(-5) m) were able to suppress the spontaneous contractile activity. Western blot analysis has revealed that both isoforms of Rho-kinase (ROCK-1 and ROCK-2) are expressed in the sheep ureter. Densitometric analysis has indicated that these enzymes are less expressed in the sheep ureter than are in the sheep aorta in a significant manner. These results show that a contractile enzyme, Rho-kinase, is expressed, and it mediates agonist- and EFS-induced contractions as well as spontaneous contractile activity of the isolated sheep ureter. Since Y-27632 and fasudil depressed the contractions, it seems plausible to postulate that Rho-kinase inhibitors may be beneficial in the treatment of renal colic.
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PMID:Expression of Rho-kinase (ROCK-1 and ROCK-2) and its substantial role in the contractile activity of the sheep ureter. 1535 80