Zhai J, Ma R C
Department of Physiology, Anhui Medical University.
Sheng Li Xue Bao. 1990 Feb;42(1):29-36.
The effect of nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, on nicotinic transmission, was studied in the isolated celiac ganglia of the guinea pig by means of intracellular recordings. Nifedipine in concentration of 0.1-10 mumol/L did not affect resting membrane potential, input membrane resistance and action potential induced by intracellular stimulation in all cells tested, but obviously inhibited nicotinic transmission. The depressant effect of nifedipine on synaptic transmission could be limited by low Ca2+ and antagonized by high Ca2+. Nifedipine did not affect acetylcholine (ACh) sensitivity of postsynaptic membrane, but decreased frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic potentials (mEPSPs) in high K+ Kreb's solution and reduced quantal content without effect on quantal size of evoked EPSPs in low Ca2+ /high Mg2+ kreb's solution. The results indicate that nifedipine in therapeutic dose exerts depressant effect on synaptic transmission through blocking Ca2+ entry into presynaptic membrane and reducing quantal release of ACh from presynaptic nerve terminals.
