Facilitating effect of CCK on nicotinic neurotransmission in cat pancreatic ganglion

R. C. Ma, J. H. Szurszewski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of cholecystokinin (CCK)- like peptides in nerve terminals surrounding ganglion neurons of the cat pancreas. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) on ganglionic transmission. Recordings were made intracellularly in vitro from ganglion neurons in isolated pieces of the pancreas. Sulfated CCK-8 (S-CCK-8) and nonsulfated CCK-8 initiated or increased ongoing fast excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) activity, an effect antagonized by hexamethonium. Superfusion of S-CCK-8 in concentrations ranging from 10-11 to 10-8 M significantly augmented the amplitude of nerve-evoked subthreshold fEPSPs without a significant change in either membrane potential or membrane input resistance. S-CCK-8 (10-8 M) also increased the quantal content and quantal size of nerve-evoked fEPSPs and increased the response to exogenously applied acetylcholine (ACh). Concentrations of S-CCK-8 higher than 10-8 M caused depolarization and an increase in membrane input resistance, an effect unaltered by a low-Ca2+, high-Mg2+ solution. It was concluded that S-CCK-8 potentiated nicotinic transmission by facilitating release of ACh from preganglionic nerve terminals and by increasing the postsynaptic membrane sensitivity to ACh.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)G526-G534
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology
Volume270
Issue number3 33-3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

Keywords

  • cholecystokinin
  • pancreas
  • parasympathetic ganglia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Physiology (medical)

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