Effect of nifedipine on neurons of guinea pig celiac ganglion.

The effect of nifedipine on electrophysiological membrane properties and nicotinic neurotransmission of guinea pig celiac ganglion neurons was studied using intracellular recordings in vitro. Nifedipine in concentrations of 0.1-10 microM did not affect membrane potential, membrane input resistance or the amplitude and duration of action potentials induced by intracellular current injection. Higher doses of nifedipine (0.1-1 mM) significantly reduced the amplitude and extended the duration of action potentials induced by intracellular current injection. Superfusion of the ganglia with nifedipine in concentrations of 0.1-10 microM significantly inhibited nicotinic fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (f-EPSPs) and orthodromic action potentials evoked by nerve stimulation. This depressant effect of nifedipine on synaptic transmission was eliminated with high Ca2+ (12.5 mM). Nifedipine (10 microM) did not affect the postsynaptic effect of exogenous acetylcholine (ACh), but significantly reduced the quantal content but not the quantal size of evoked f-EPSPs in a low Ca2+ (0.5 mM), high Mg2+ (5.5 mM) Krebs solution. Nifedipine in concentration of 10 microM did not affect afterspike hyperpolarization (AH) and post-tetanic hyperpolarization (PTH), which have been recognized to be generated mainly by an increase of calcium-dependent potassium conductance. Higher doses of nifedipine (0.1-1 mM) significantly depressed AH and PTH. These experimental results suggest that nifedipine in concentrations of 0.1-10 microM exerts an inhibitory effect on nicotinic neurotransmission without affecting the membrane properties of the guinea pig celiac ganglion neurons. This inhibitory effect of nifedipine on synaptic transmission may result from blocking L-type calcium channels and reducing the quantal release of ACh from the presynaptic nerve terminals.