PREJUNCTIONAL MUSCARINIC AUTORECEPTORS ON HORSE AIRWAY CHOLINERGIC NERVES

Muscarinic autoreceptors on horse airway cholinergic nerves were studied by examining the effects of muscarinic receptor antagonists on electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced acetylcholine (ACh) release in trachealis preparations. All the antagonists including atropine (non-selective), pirenzepine (M(1)-selective), AF-DX 116 (M(2)-selective), and hexahydrosiladifenidol (M(3)-selective) augmented ACh release concentration-dependently. The augmentation was not due to displacement of ACh molecules from tissue receptors into the bath liquid because incubation with atropine after EFS had no influence on the measured amount of ACh. Hexahydrosiladifenidol was more potent in inhibiting ACh-induced muscle contraction, which is known to be mediated by M(3) receptors, than in augmenting ACh release. The maximal ACh release rate in response to the selective antagonists was much less than that following atropine. Furthermore, the concentrations of the selective antagonists required to augment ACh release far exceeded their K(d)s for M(1), M(2), or M(3) receptors. These observations suggest that the muscarinic autoreceptors on horse airway cholinergic nerves may belong to a novel subtype.