Skip to main content
Log in

The action of lindane in accelerating the spontaneous release of transmitter at the frog neuromuscular junction

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Lindane (5×10−5M) causes a progressive and marked rise in MEPP frequency at the frog neuromuscular junction. Concentrations over a range of 5×10−6M to 5×10−4M were tested. The results suggest that it has two actions in promoting this effect. Its major effect is probably to cause an increase in Ca2+-permeability and a rise in Ca2+ entry. Its second, smaller effect, which persists in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, is probably also because of a rise in [Ca2+]i. The ways in which these effects might be produced and the significance of these findings for explaining the known pharmacological actions of lindane are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  • Akkermans, L.M.A., Van der Zalm, J.M., Van den Bercken, J.: Is aldrin-transdiol the active form of the insecticide dieldrin? Arch. int. Pharmacodyn. 206, 363–364 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Alnaes, E., Rahamimoff, R.: On the role of mitochondria in transmitter release from motor nerve terminals. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 248, 285–306 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, P.F., Crawford, A.C.: A note on the mechanism by which inhibitors of the sodium pump accelerate spontaneous release of transmitter from motor nerve terminals. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 247, 209–226 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beume, R., Pott, L.: Dual effect of external calcium on the frequency of miniature synaptic potentials in frog sympathetic ganglion cells. Pflűgers Arch. 376, 21–26 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Birks, R.I., Burstyn, P.G.R., Firth, D.R.: The form of sodium-calcium competition at the frog myoneural junction. J. Gen. Physiol. 52, 887–907 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, C.I.: Statistics in Biology, Vol. 1. New York: McGraw-Hill 1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Branisteanu, D.D., Volle, R.L.: Modification by lithium of transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction of the frog. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 194, 362–372 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmody, J.J., Gage, P.W.: Lithium stimulates secretion of acetylcholine in absence of extracellular calcium. Brain Res. 50, 476–479 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, A.C.: Lithium ions and the release of transmitter at the frog neuromuscular junction. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 246, 109–142 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Crompton, M., Moser, R., Lűdi, H., Carafoli, E.: The interrelations between the transport of sodium and calcium in mitochondria of various mammalian tissues. Eur. J. Biochem. 82, 25–31 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Castillo, J., Katz, B.: Changes in end-plate activity produced by presynaptic polarization. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 124, 586–604 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, C.J., Statham, H.E.: Interacting effects of temperature and extracellular calcium on the spontaneous release of transmitter at the frog neuromuscular junction. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 268, 319–333 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hulth, L., Larsson, M., Carlsson, R., Kihlstrőm, J.E.: Convulsive action of small single oral doses of the insecticide lindane. Bull. Environ. contam. Toxicol. 16, 133–137 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Joy, R.M.: Convulsive properties of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides in the cat central nervous system. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 35, 95–106 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Landau, E.M.: The interaction of presynaptic polarization with calcium and magnesium in modifying spontaneous transmitter release from mammalian motor nerve terminals. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 203, 281–299 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liley, A.W.: The effects of presynaptic polarization on the spontaneous activity at the mammalian neuromuscular junction. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 134, 427–443 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Normann, T.C., Samaranayaka-Ramasamy, M.: Secretory hyperactivity and mitochondrial changes in neurosecretory cells of an insect. Cell Tiss. Res. 183, 61–69 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pardini, R.S., Heidker, J.C., Payne, B.: The effect of some cyclodiene pesticides, benzenehexachloride and toxaphene on mitochondrial electron transport. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 6, 436–444 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Portzehl, H., Caldwell, P.C., Rűegg, J.C.: The dependence of contraction and relaxation of muscle fibres from the crab Maia squinado on the internal concentration of free calcium ions. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 79, 581–591 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Publicover, S.J., Duncan, C.J.: The action of verapamil on the rate of spontaneous release of transmitter at the frog neuromuscular junction. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 54, 119–127 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Publicover, S.J., Duncan, C.J., Smith, J.L.: The action of lindane in causing ultra-structural damage in frog skeletal muscle. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. in press (1979)

  • Statham, H.E., Duncan, C.J.: Dantrolene and the neuromuscular junction: evidence for intra-cellular calcium stores. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 39, 143–152 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Statham, H.E., Duncan, C.J.: The effect of sodium ions on MEPP frequency at the frog neuromuscular junction. Life Sci. 20, 1839–1846 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Statham, H.E., Duncan, C.J., Publicover, S.J.: Dual effect of 2,4-Dinitrophenol on the spontaneous release of transmitter at the frog neuromuscular junction. Biochem. Pharmacol. 27, 2199–2202 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • White, G.L., Larrabee, M.G.: Phosphoinositides and other phospholipids in sympathetic ganglia and nerve trunks of rats. J. Neurochem. 20, 783–798 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Publicover, S.J., Duncan, C.J. The action of lindane in accelerating the spontaneous release of transmitter at the frog neuromuscular junction. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 308, 179–182 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00499062

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00499062

Key words

Navigation