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Query: UMLS:C0406810 (NAME)
 13,345 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

1. Nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) nerves mediate vasodilatation in guinea-pig pulmonary artery (PA) by both endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent mechanisms. The transmitter(s) involved in the endothelium-independent pathway have not yet been identified. We have therefore investigated the possibility that nitric oxide (NO) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) may mediate this neural vasodilator response in guinea-pig branch PA rings denuded of endothelium. 2. Electric field stimulation (EFS, 50 V, 0.2 ms) induced a frequency-dependent (1-24 Hz), tetrodotoxin-sensitive relaxation of the U44069-precontracted PA rings in the presence of adrenergic and cholinergic blockade. 3. The NO synthase inhibitors NG-monomethyl L-arginine (L-NMMA, 100 microM) and NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 30 microM), and the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor methylene blue (5 microM) inhibited the EFS (16 Hz)-induced relaxation by 53 +/- 5, 74 +/- 9 and 82 +/- 9% respectively (n = 5-7, P < 0.01, compared with control rings). 4. Excess concentrations of L-, but not D-arginine (300 microM) completely reversed the inhibitory effect of L-NMMA. 5. The EFS-elicited relaxation (4 Hz) was potentiated by 1 microM zaprinast, a type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor which inhibits guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) degradation, but was unaffected by 0.1 microM zardaverine, a type III/IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor which inhibits cyclic AMP degradation. 6. EFS (50 V, 0.2 ms, 16 Hz) induced a 3 fold increase in tissue cyclic GMP content, an action which was inhibited by L-NMMA (100 microM). 7. Pyrogallol (100microM), a superoxide anion generator, also inhibited the EFS-induced relaxation by 53 +/- 9%, and this effect was prevented by superoxide dismutase.8. Chemical sympathetic denervation with 6-hydroxydopamine had no effect on the relaxant response to EFS in the endothelium-denuded PA rings.9. In endothelium-denuded branch PA rings at resting tone, L-NMMA (100 microM) significantly augmented the adrenergic contractile response, an effect which was completely reversed by L-arginine,but not by D-arginine. In the same groups of vessel rings, L-NMMA had no significant effect on the matched contractile response to exogenous noradrenaline.10. These results suggest that NO may be released from intramural nerve endings other than adrenergic nerves (probably NANC nerves), and this leads to vasodilatation via activation of guanylyl cyclase.
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PMID:Role of nitric oxide and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate in mediating nonadrenergic, noncholinergic relaxation in guinea-pig pulmonary arteries. 133 45

1. The effects of tetrodotoxin (TTx) and the selective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on relaxant responses of the 5-HT precontracted chick isolated upper oesophagus to electrical field stimulation (EFS: 25-30V, 5 Hz for 10 s, 1 ms pulse width every 100 s) were investigated; the oesophagus was mounted under 1 g tension in Krebs solution containing 1 microM atropine. Appropriate tissue sections (30 microM thickness) of the chick oesophagus were also processed for NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. 2. TTx (2 microM) and L-NAME (100-200 microM) inhibited the relaxant responses of the 5-HT precontracted chick oesophagus to EFS in a concentration-dependent manner; L-arginine (0.5-1 mM), but not D-arginine (0.5-1 mM), reversed the inhibition by L-NAME. In the absence of atropine and muscle tone, EFS produced contractile responses of the chick oesophagus that were completely abolished by 1 microM atropine, which also blocked the contractile response to acetylcholine (50 microM). 3. Under light microscopy, NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry confirmed the presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing neurones and nerve fibres in the chick oesophagus. 4. The relaxant responses of the 5-HT precontracted chick isolated upper oesophagus to EFS are, therefore, mediated via the stimulation of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic nerves. These are likely to correspond to the histochemically identified NOS-containing neurones involved, presumably, in the synthesis and release of nitric oxide as the relaxant (inhibitory) neurotransmitter in this avian smooth muscle.
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PMID:L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway involvement in the nerve-evoked relaxant responses of the 5-HT precontracted chick isolated upper oesophagus. 767 69

1. Neuromuscular transmission in the circular muscle of the canine proximal colon was examined, in the presence and absence of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, by use of mechanical and intracellular microelectrode recording techniques. 2. Electrical field stimulation (EFS; 0.1-20 HZ) produced frequency-dependent contractions of circular muscle strips which reached a maximum at 15 Hz. These responses were enhanced by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 300 microM) and reduced by atropine (1 microM). The effects of L-NMMA were reversed by L-arginine (3 mM). All responses to EFS were abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 microM). 3. In the presence of atropine, phentolamine and propranolol (all at 1 microM; 'non-adrenergic, non-cholingergic (NANC) conditions'), EFS evoked frequency-dependent inhibition of phasic contractions which reached a maximum at 5 Hz. At higher frequencies of EFS, inhibition diminished, and these responses were followed by post-stimulus excitation. 4. Under NANC conditions and in the presence of L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 200 microM), EFS evoked contractions at frequencies of 5 Hz or greater. These contractions were reduced by co-incubation with L-arginine (2 mM) and abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 microM). 5. In the presence of atropine (1 microM), EFS (5-20 Hz) caused frequency-dependent inhibition of electrical slow waves. In the presence of L-NAME (100 microM) and atropine, the inhibitory response to EFS was abolished and an increase in slow wave duration was seen at stimulation frequencies greater than 5 Hz. The effects of EFS on slow wave duration were abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 microM). 6. Atropine-resistant contractions to EFS were enhanced by indomethacin (10 microM) and reduced or abolished by the non-selective NK1/NK2 tachykinin receptor antagonist D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9 SP, and by the selective NK2 receptor antagonist MEN 10,376 (10 microM).7. Exogenous tachykinins mimicked non-cholinergic excitatory electrical and mechanical responses. The rank order of potency for contraction was neurokinin A>neurokinin B>substance P, suggesting a predominance of the NK2 sub-type of tachykinin receptors on colonic smooth muscle cells. Low concentrations of neurokinin A also increased the amplitude and duration of electrical slow waves.8. These results suggest that: (i) in previous studies, non-cholinergic excitatory responses were masked by the simultaneous release of NO; (ii) non-cholinergic excitatory responses occur throughout the period of stimulation and are not manifest only as 'rebound' excitation; (iii) one or more tachykinins, possibly,acting via NK2 receptors, may mediate non-cholinergic excitatory responses.
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PMID:Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis reveals non-cholinergic excitatory neurotransmission in the canine proximal colon. 768 1

1. In the presence of atropine (1 microM) and guanethidine (5 microM), electrical field stimulation (EFS, 120 mA, 1 ms, 0.5-16.0 Hz, trains of 2 min) induced frequency-dependent relaxations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (3 microM)-precontracted longitudinal muscle strips from the rat gastric fundus. 2. L-Citrulline concentrations were measured in the incubation medium of precontracted strips before and after EFS to investigate nitric-oxide (NO) synthase activity and its possible relation to non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxation. 3. Basal NO synthase activity was reflected by the finding of prestimulation levels of L-citrulline of approximately 30 nM. These levels were unaffected by tetrodotoxin (3 microM) and NG-nitro-D-arginine methyl ester (D-NAME, 100 microM), slightly reduced by a calcium-free medium and halved by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM). 4. EFS evoked significant, frequency-dependent increases in bath levels of L-citrulline at all frequencies tested. The increases evoked by 16-Hz EFS were abolished by tetrodotoxin (3 microM), a calcium-free medium and L-NAME (100 microM) but not by D-NAME (100 microM). 5. L-NAME (0.1 microM-1.0 mM) produced significant reduction of 4-Hz EFS-induced L-citrulline production (100% inhibition at 10 microM), but had less marked effects on basal production (approximately 50% reduction at 100 microM) and 4-Hz EFS-induced NANC relaxation (approximately 50% reduction at 1 mM). 6. L-Arginine (1 mM), but not D-arginine (1 mM), increased basal L-citrulline levels and reversed the inhibitory effect of L-NAME (10 microM). 7. These findings represent clear biochemical evidence of both basal and EFS-stimulated NO synthase activity in the rat gastric fundus.
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PMID:Nitric oxide synthase activity and non-adrenergic non-cholinergic relaxation in the rat gastric fundus. 864 19

1. The effects of pregnancy on mesenteric arterial function were examined in constantly perfused (5 ml min-1) mesenteric arterial beds isolated from 21-day pregnant rats. The function of sympathetic and sensory-motor perivascular nerves, endothelium and smooth muscle was examined. The role of nitric oxide and prostaglandins in vasoconstrictor function was tested by use of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 100 microM) and indomethacin (10 microM), respectively. 2. Electrical field stimulation (EFS; 4-32 Hz, 1 ms, 90V, 30s) at basal tone elicited frequency-dependent vasoconstriction which was markedly reduced in preparations from pregnant rats at all frequencies. Vasoconstrictor responses to vasopressin and endothelin were also reduced in pregnancy and there was a trend towards a reduction in maximal responses to noradrenaline (NA). In contrast, there was no difference in vasoconstrictor responses to ATP, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or angiotension II. 3. L-NAME (100 microM) augmented responses to EFS, NA, ATP and vasopressin in control mesenteric arterial preparations. In contrast, L-NAME augmented responses only to EFS in pregnancy, having no significant effect on responses to NA, ATP and vasopressin. 4. Indomethacin (10 microM) attenuated responses to NA and vasopressin, but not to EFS, in controls and in pregnancy. Responses to ATP were attenuated by indomethacin in controls but not in pregnancy. 5. Mesenteric preparations from pregnant rats were resistant to having tone raised by continuous perfusion with methoxamine. Despite an approximately 10 fold greater concentration of methoxamine, there was a significantly smaller increase in tone in preparations from pregnant, 34.27 +/- 4.8 mmHg (n = 11) compared to control, 65.92 +/- 5.4 mmHg (n = 11), rats. EFS (4-12 Hz, 60 V, 0.1 ms, 30s) in the presence of guanethidine (5 microM) to block sympathetic neurotransmission elicited frequency-dependent vasodilatation due to activation of sensory-motor nerves. Percentage relaxations were similar in preparations from pregnant and non-pregnant rats. 6. Dose-dependent endothelium-dependent vasodilatations to acetylcholine and ATP were similar in preparations from pregnant and non-pregnant rats. Endothelium-independent vasodilatation to sodium nitroprusside and to calcitonin gene-related peptide were also similar between the two groups. 7. There was no significant difference in the basal perfusion pressure of mesenteric arterial beds from control (21.3 +/- 1.0 mmHg, n = 24) and pregnant (20.2 +/- 1.2 mmHg, n = 23) rats. However, a step-wise increase in perfusate flow from 5 to 10, 15, 20 and 24ml min-1 produced smaller increases in perfusion pressure in pregnancy compared to the controls. L-NAME (100 microM) or indomethacin (10 microM) had no significant effect on the relationship between flow and perfusion pressure. 8. The present results show that prejunctional changes are involved in blunted sympathetic vasoconstriction of rat mesenteric arteries in pregnancy. Non-specific postjunctional changes are implicated in the reduced constrictor responses to applied methoxamine, vasopressin and endothelin, but not to ATP. In contrast, sensory-motor nerves and endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilatation was unchanged. The decrease in receptor-mediated mesenteric arterial constrictor responsiveness in pregnancy does not appear to be due to acute modulation by NO or prostaglandins, but may involve changes in the distensibility of the bed and/or changes in wall thickness.
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PMID:Mesenteric arterial function in the rat in pregnancy: role of sympathetic and sensory-motor perivascular nerves, endothelium, smooth muscle, nitric oxide and prostaglandins. 873 Jul 40

1. The effects of cirrhosis on mesenteric vascular reactivity were assessed in constantly perfused mesenteric arterial beds isolated from cirrhotic rats (carbon tetrachloride with phenobarbitone, n = 6), and from phenobarbitone-treated and untreated age-matched controls (n = 4,5). 2. At a constant flow rate of 5 ml min-1 there was no difference in basal perfusion pressure between the groups. Electrical field stimulation (EFS; 4-32 Hz, 90V, 1 ms, 30 s) of perivascular nerves caused frequency-dependent increases in perfusion pressure which were not different between the groups. Dose-dependent vasoconstrictor responses to exogenous noradrenaline (NA), methoxamine (an alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist), adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and vasopressin were also similar between the groups. 3. The nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 30 microM) augmented constrictor responses to NA, EFS, methoxamine and vasopressin in all groups, and as shown for EFS and NA, this was reversed by L-arginine (300 microM). However, the maximum constrictor responses of cirrhotic preparations in the presence of L-NAME were significantly lower than those of both groups of control animals at the highest frequency of EFS (32 Hz) and highest doses of NA (0.15 and 0.5 mumol) and, compared to phenobarbitone-treated controls, methoxamine (5 mumol). Responses to ATP were significantly augmented by L-NAME only in the cirrhotic group. 4. A step-wise increase in perfusate flow to 10, 15 and 20 ml min-1 produced a broadly similar increase in perfusion pressure within each group. At increased flow rates, cirrhotic preparations were hyporesponsive to NA (15 nmol) compared to the phenobarbitone-treated animals but not the untreated controls. Glibenclamide (5 microM) or L-NAME (30 microM) had no significant effect on the relationship between flow and perfusion pressure or on responses to NA at the different flow rates. 5. We conclude that sympathetic neurotransmission is unchanged in cirrhosis. Endogenous NO is important in modulation of constriction in both normal and cirrhotic states. Changes in NO may occur in cirrhosis, although the role of this in hyporesponsiveness of cirrhotic preparations to NA at higher flow rates and to the greater potentiation of ATP-mediated constriction in the presence of L-NAME, together with the impact of factors such as changes in calcium and potassium channels, is not entirely clear.
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PMID:Vasoconstrictor responsiveness of the rat mesenteric arterial bed in cirrhosis. 873 49

1. The relative roles of ETA and ETB receptor activation on cholinergic nerve-mediated contraction and acetylcholine (ACh) release were examined in sheep isolated tracheal smooth muscle. 2. Electrical field stimulation (EFS; 90 V, 0.5 ms duration, 1 Hz, 10 s train) applied to sheep isolated tracheal smooth muscle strips induced monophasic contractile responses that were abolished by either 1 microM tetrodotoxin or 0.1 microM atropine, but were insensitive to 10 microM hexamethonium and 100 microM L-NAME. Thus, EFS-induced contractions resulted from the spasmogenic actions of ACh released from parasympathetic, postganglionic nerves. 3. As expected, sheep isolated tracheal smooth muscle preparations did not contract in response to the ETB receptor-selective agonist, sarafotoxin S6c (0.1-100 nM). However, sarafotoxin S6c caused a concentration-dependent and transient inhibition of EFS-induced contractions. The inhibitory effect induced by a maximally effective concentration of sarafotoxin S6c (10 nM; 72.1 +/- 5.7%, n = 6) was abolished in the presence of the ETB receptor-selective antagonist BQ-788 (1 microM). Contractile responses to exogenously administered ACh (10 nM-0.3 mM) were not inhibited by sarafotoxin S6c (1 or 10 nM; n = 7). 4. In contrast to sarafotoxin S6c, endothelin-1 induced marked contractions in sheep isolated tracheal smooth muscle. These contractions were inhibited by BQ-123, consistent with an ETA receptor-mediated response. In the presence of BQ-123 (3 microM), endothelin-1 produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of EFS-induced contractions (30 nM endothelin-1, 68.9 +/- 10.2% inhibition, n = 5). These responses were inhibited by 1 microM BQ-788, indicative of an ETB receptor-mediated process. Endothelin-1 was about 3 fold less potent than sarafotoxin S6c. 5. EFS (90 V, 0.5 ms duration, 1 Hz, 15 min train) induced the release of endogenous ACh (1.94 +/- 0.28 pmol mg-1 tissue, n = 12), as assayed by h.p.l.c. with electrochemical detection. EFS-induced release of ACh was inhibited to a similar extent by 100 nM endothelin-1 (47 +/- 4%, n = 9) and 10 nM sarafotoxin S6c (46 +/- 9%, n = 3). These effects of endothelin-1 on ACh release were inhibited by 1 microM BQ-788 alone (n = 4), by BQ-788 in the presence of 3 microM BQ-123 (n = 4), but not by 3 microM BQ-123 alone (n = 5). 6. In summary, sheep isolated tracheal smooth muscle contains two anatomically and functionally distinct endothelin receptor populations. ETA receptors located on airway smooth muscle mediate contraction, whereas ETB receptors appear to exist on cholinergic nerves that innervate tracheal smooth muscle cells and mediate inhibition of ACh release. The inhibitory effect of ETB receptor stimulation on cholinergic neurotransmission is in stark contrast to the enhancing effects hitherto described in the airways.
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PMID:Inhibition by endothelin-1 of cholinergic nerve-mediated acetylcholine release and contraction in sheep isolated trachea. 876 5

Nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) vasodilator mechanisms may contribute to the maintenance of low vascular resistance characteristic of the pulmonary circulation. Previous studies have demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) is the principal NANC neurotransmitter in guinea pig pulmonary arteries. We examined whether NANC relaxation could be demonstrated in human pulmonary arteries, and the role of NO in this phenomenon. Fresh human pulmonary artery rings, with and without an intact endothelium, were mounted in organ baths containing Krebs' solution and precontracted with U44069 (0.3 microM). Adrenergic and cholinergic neurotransmitter pathways were blocked with guanethidine and atropine, respectively (10 microM each). In both endothelium-intact and -denuded vessels, electrical field stimulation (EFS, 1 to 10 Hz, 100 V) resulted in a frequency-dependent relaxation (maximal relaxation of 25 +/- 4% and 15 +/- 2% in endothelium-intact and -denuded vessels, respectively). Tetrodotoxin (0.3 microM) abolished the EFS-induced relaxation. L-NG-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 microM), was used to block enzymatic synthesis of NO. In both endothelium-intact and -denuded vessels, L-NAME reduced NANC relaxation to approximately 50% of control values. This reduction was reversible with the application of L-arginine (100 microM). We conclude that NANC relaxation exists in human pulmonary arteries and that it is partly mediated through NO.
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PMID:Nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxation of human pulmonary arteries is partially mediated by nitric oxide. 881 May 97

1. We investigated the contribution of nitric oxide (NO) to inhibitory neuromuscular transmission in murine proximal colon and the possibility that citrulline is recycled to arginine to maintain the supply of substrate for NO synthesis. 2. Intracellular microelectrode recordings were made from circular smooth muscle cells in the presence of nifedipine and atropine (both 1 microM). Electrical field stimulation (EFS, 0.3-20 Hz) produced inhibitory junction potentials (i.j.ps) composed of an initial transient hyperpolarization (fast component) followed by a slow recovery to resting potential (slow component). 3. L-Nitro-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM) selectively abolished the slow component of i.j.ps. The effects of L-NAME were reversed by L-arginine (0.2-2 mM) but not by D-arginine (2 mM). Sodium nitroprusside (an NO donor, 1 microM) reversibly hyperpolarized muscle cells. This suggests that NO mediates the slow component of i.j.ps. 4. L-Citrulline (0.2 mM) also reversed the effects of L-NAME, and this action was maintained during sustained exposures to L-citrulline (0.2 mM). This may reflect intraneuronal recycling of L-citrulline to L-arginine. 5. Higher concentrations of L-citrulline (e.g. 2 mM) had time-dependent effects. Brief exposure (15 min) reversed the effects of L-NAME, but during longer exposures (30 min) the effects of L-NAME gradually returned. In the continued presence of L-citrulline, L-arginine (2 mM) readily restored nitrergic transmission, suggesting that during long exposures to high concentrations of L-citrulline, the ability to generate arginine from citrulline was reduced. 6. Aspartate (2 mM) had no effect on i.j.ps, the effects of L-NAME, or the actions of L-citrulline in the presence of L-NAME, L-Citrulline (0.2-2 mM) alone had no effect on i.j.ps under control conditions. 7. S-methyl-L-thiocitrulline (10 microM), a novel NOS inhibitor, blocked the slow component of i.j.ps. The effects of this inhibitor were reversed by L-arginine (2 mM), but not by L-citrulline (2 mM). 8. These results suggest that i.j.ps in the murine colon result from release of multiple inhibitory neurotransmitters. NO mediates a slow component of enteric inhibitory neurotransmission. Recycling of L-citrulline to L-arginine may sustain substrate concentrations in support of NO synthesis and this pathway may be inhibited when concentrations of L-citrulline are elevated.
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PMID:Regulation of citrulline recycling in nitric oxide-dependent neurotransmission in the murine proximal colon. 905 12

Transmural electrical field stimulation (EFS, 4-32 Hz) produced a biphasic contractile response consisting of a rapid and transient contraction (first phase) followed by a slow contraction (second phase) in ring preparations of guinea pig portal veins. Both contractions were enhanced by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 30 microM). In the presence of L-NAME, tetrodotoxin (1 microM) and guanethidine (3 microM) inhibited both contractions and phentolamine (10 microM), and reserpine treatment abolished the first-phase contraction without affecting the second-phase contraction. These results suggest that the first-phase contraction is caused by norepinephrine released from the perivascular nerves. In the presence of phentolamine and L-NAME, the second-phase contraction was inhibited by the nonselective P2-purinoceptor antagonist suramin (30-300 microM) and the P(2Y)-purinoceptor antagonist reactive blue 2 (RB2; 10-100 microM). alpha,beta-Methylene-adenosine triphosphate (alpha,beta-mATP; 3-30 microM), which desensitizes P(2X)-purinoceptors, and the P(2X)-purinoceptor antagonist 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonate (DIDS; 1-10 microM) had a little effect. Exogenous ATP (0.1-3 mM) and UTP (0.1-3 mM) in the presence of L-NAME produced contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. The ATP-induced contraction was enhanced by suramin, RB2, and DIDS but unaltered by alpha,beta-mATP. The UTP-induced contraction was inhibited by suramin and RB2 but unaltered by alpha,beta-mATP and DIDS. These results indicate that in the guinea pig portal vein, the classic P(2X)-purinoceptors do not contribute to the nonadrenergic component of sympathetic neurotransmission. Furthermore, the pharmacology of the nonadrenergic component of neurotransmission resembles that of vasoconstrictor responses to exogenous UTP rather than to ATP.
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PMID:Nonadrenergic contractile response of guinea pig portal vein to electrical field stimulation mimics response to UTP but not to ATP. 912 74


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