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The action of thallium acetate on spontaneous transmitter release in the rat neuromuscular junction

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Abstract

Frequencies and amplitudes of miniature endplate potentials (MEPP's) were recorded from neuromuscular junctions of the rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation in vitro. Superfusion of the preparations with Ringer solution containing thallium acetate (Tlac) gradually increased the frequency of MEPP's by a factor of 10 within 30 min (1×10−3 mol/l Tlac) and 180 min (5×10−4 mol/l Tlac), whereas the amplitude of MEPP's remained unchanged. Frequency of MEPP's fitted a Poisson-distribution which persisted during superfusion with Tl+-Ringer. Sub-MEPP amplitudes remained unaffected by the action of thallium. It is concluded that thallium interferes presynaptically with spontaneous transmitter release.

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Wiegand, H., Papadopoulos, R., Csicsaky, M. et al. The action of thallium acetate on spontaneous transmitter release in the rat neuromuscular junction. Arch Toxicol 55, 253–257 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00341021

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00341021

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