Cholinergic agents inhibit sodium transport across the isolated toad bladder.

Acetylcholine and carbamylcholine (carbachol) inhibited sodium transport across the toad bladder. This effect was blocked by atropine. Carbachol increased the uptake of 45Ca by isolated toad bladder epithelial cells. This increased 45Ca uptake was blocked by atropine, pentobarbital, or lanthanum chloride. The inhibitory effect of cholinergic agents on sodium transport was dependent on external calcium concentration and was abolished by decreasing external calcium from 2 to 0.2 mM or by agents (pentobarbital, lanthanum chloride) which prevent the movement of calcium into cells. Carbachol increased modestly, but significantly, the levels of cyclic GMP in isolated toad bladder epithelial cells. This effect was blocked by atropine. Whether the decrease in sodium transport produced by cholinergic agents is the result of increased intracytoplasmic calcium levels, increased cyclic GMP levels, or a combination of both remains to be established.