Presynaptic inhibition of acetylcholine release.

High potassium (51 mM) has been shown to evoke release of acetylcholine ([3H]ACh and endogenous ACh) from cholinergic nerves in rat bronchial smooth muscle. The release of [3H]ACh was reduced by 85% when the Ca2+ concentration was changed from 2 to 0.1 mM. The veratridine-induced release was completely inhibited by tetrodotoxin, but tetrodotoxin did not reduce the potassium-evoked release. The muscarinic agonist, oxotremorine, reduced the potassium stimulated release of [3H]ACh, without affecting the basal release. In contrast, scopolamine substantially potentiated the potassium-evoked release. Adenosine had a dual effect in the rat bronchi. Adenosine inhibited the potassium-evoked release of [3H]ACh and this presynaptic effect of adenosine was antagonized by 8-phenyltheophylline. Adenosine also induced contraction of the bronchial smooth muscle and there was potentiation by adenosine of the ACh-induced contraction. The results indicate that cholinergic nerve terminals in the rat bronchi possess muscarinic receptors which inhibit the release of ACh. Adenosine may have analogous effects, e.g. presynaptic inhibition of transmitter release in addition to postsynaptic enhancement of bronchial smooth muscle contraction.