Cholinergic contractions induced by GABA-A receptor activation in the guinea-pig ileum are inhibited by alpha-chymotrypsin and potentiated by diazepam.

The influence of alpha-chymotrypsin and diazepam on the phasic (mainly direct) and tonic (indirect, probably substance P-mediated) components of intestinal cholinergic contractions, induced by the GABA-A receptor agonist 3-aminopropane sulphonic acid (3-APS), was investigated in the guinea-pig ileum. alpha-Chymotrypsin, at a concentration (20 U/ml) not affecting submaximal Ach (0.1 microM) contractions, preferentially depressed the tonic component of the 3-APS (30 microM)-induced response. A brief exposure (10 or 60 sec) to diazepam (0.1 microM) potentiated both the phasic and the tonic contractions evoked by low (10, 30 microM) 3-APS concentrations. This potentiation was prevented by bicuculline (30 microM), hyoscine (1 microM) and flumazenil (1, 3 microM). These results provide further support for an involvement of a peptide neurotransmitter on GABA-A receptor-mediated cholinergic response in the ileum. The modulation of this response by diazepam is probably exerted through recognition sites resembling the "central type" benzodiazepine receptors.