Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experiments on the mechanism of action of caerulein at the level of the guinea-pig ileum and colon

  • Research Reports
  • Published:
Agents and Actions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The action of caerulein in guinea-pig ileum and colon was studied in vitro and in vivo. The action appears to be mediated mainly through nervous pathways, inasmuch as tetrodotoxin is able to abolish more than 90% of the response. One of the mediators liberated by caerulein seems to be acetylcholine, since caerulein gives rise to increased acetylcholine release associated with stimulation. Furthermore, it enhances the responses to pelvic nerve stimulation, whilst atropine causes a reduction in the responses. At present no data are available for determining the identity of the other mediator(s); however, serotonin and histamine seem not to be involved.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A. Anastasi, V. Erspamer andR. Endean,Isolation and Aminoacid Sequence of Caerulein, the Active Decapeptide of the Skin of Hyla Caerulea, Arch. Biochem. Biophys.125, 57–68 (1968).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. G. Decaro, R. Endean, V. Erspamer andN. Roseghini,Occurrence of Caerulein in Extracts of the Skin of Hyla Caerulea and Other Australian Hylids, Br. J. Pharmac.33, 48–58 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  3. A. Anastasi, G. Bertaccini, J. M. Cei, G. De Caro, V. Erspamer, M. Impicciatore andM. Roseghini, Br. J. Pharmac., in press (1970).

  4. V. Erspamer, (Progress Report), Caerulein, Gut11, 79–87 (1970).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. G. Bertaccini, G. De Caro, R. Endean, V. Erspamer andM. Impicciatore,The Action of Caerulein on the Smooth Muscle of the Gastrointestinal Tract and the Gall Bladder, Br. J. Pharmac.34, 291–310 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  6. M. J. Rand andAngela Ridehalgh,Actions of Hemicholinium and Triethylcholine on Responses of Guinea-Pig Colon to Stimulation of Autonomic Nerves, J. Pharm. Pharmacol.17, 144–156 (1965).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. R. C. Garry andJ. S. Gillespie,The Responses of the Musculature of the Colon of the Rabbit to Stimulation, in vitro, of the Parasynpathetic and of the Sympathetic Outflows, J. Physiol.128, 557–576 (1955).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. M. Del Tacca, S. Lecchini, G. M. Frigo, A. Crema andG. Benzi,Antagonism of Atropine Towards Endogenous and Exogenous Acetylcholine Before and After Sympathetic System Blockade in the Isolated Distal Guinea-Pig Colon, Europ. J. Pharmac.4, 188–197 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. M. F. Murnagham,The Morphinized-Eserinized Leech Muscle for the Assay of Acetylcholine, Nature182, 317 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  10. G. Soldani, M. Del Tacca, A. Giacomelli andA. Crema,Nerve Mediated Response of the Guinea-Pig Colon, in situ: Activity of Some Anticholinergic Drugs, in press.

  11. Margaret Day andJ. R. Vane,An Analysis of the Direct and Indirect Actions of Drugs on the Isolated Guinea-Pig Ileum, Br. J. Pharmac.20, 150–170 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  12. M. A. Zar,Factor Influencing the Output of Acetylcholine, D. Phil. Thesis Univ. of Oxford (1966).

  13. M. D. Gershon,Effects of Tetrodotoxin on Innervated Smooth Muscle Preparations, Br. J. Pharmac.29, 259–279 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  14. A. Bennett, K. G. Eley andG. B. Scholes,Effects of Prostaglandins E 1 and E 2 on Human, Guinea-Pig and Rat Isolated Small Intestine, Br. J. Pharmac.34, 630–638 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  15. A. Bertolini, A. Greggia andW. Ferrari,Atropine-Like Properties of Hemicholinium-3, Life Sciences6, 537–543 (1967).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. J. R. Blair-West, R. Harding andJ. S. McKenzie,The Action of Angiotensin II on the Guinea-Pig Ileum and its Modification by Changes in Sodium Concentration, Br. J. Pharmac.31, 229–243 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  17. D. Bieger, H. Lüllmann undO. Wasserman,Über eine akute Anti-Acetylcholin-Wirkung von Hemicholinium Nr. 3 am Vorhof des Meerschweinchens, Arch. Exp. Path. Ph.259, 386–393 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  18. J. B. Furness,An Electrophysiological Study of the Innervation of the Smooth Muscle of the Colon, J. Physiol.205, 549–562 (1969).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. A. Crema, M. Del Tacca, G. M. Frigo andS. Lecchini,Presence of a Non-Adrenergic Inhibitory System in the Human Colon, Gut9, 633–637 (1968).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Clementina Bianchi, L. Beani, G. M. Frigo andA. Crema,Further Evidence for the Presence of Non-Adrenergic Inhibitory Structures in the Guinea-Pig Colon, Europ. J. Pharm.4, 51–61 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. N. Ambache andAnne Freeman,Atropine Resistant Longitudinal Muscle Spasm Due to Excitation of Non-Cholinergic Neurones in Auerbach's Plexus, J. Physiol.199, 705–727 (1968).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. M. M. Goldenberg,Tachyphylaxis to the Inhibitory Action of Atropine on the Cholinergic Response to Nicotine in vitro, Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn.180, No. 2, 264–280 (1969).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. A. Bennett andB. Fleshler,A Hyoscine Resistant Excitatory Nerve Pathway in Guinea-Pig Colon, J. Physiol.203, 62–63P (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  24. R. H. Carter,Resistance to Tetrodotoxin in Toad Sympathetic Nerves, J. Pharm. Pharmac.21, 394–395 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  25. P. Hedner andG. Rorsman,Structures Essential for the Effect of Cholecystokinin on the Guinea-Pig Small Intestine in vitro, Acta Physiol. Scand.74, 58–68 (1968).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. V. Mutt andJ. E. Jorpes,Isolation of Aspartyl-Phenylalanine Amide from Cholecystokinin-Pancreozymin, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm.26, 392–397 (1967).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    M. Del Tacca, G. Soldani & A. Crema

Authors
  1. M. Del Tacca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. Soldani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Crema
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Del Tacca, M., Soldani, G. & Crema, A. Experiments on the mechanism of action of caerulein at the level of the guinea-pig ileum and colon. Agents and Actions 1, 176–182 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01965759

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01965759

Keywords

Search

Navigation