Posttetanic inhibition in the guinea - pig ileum by endogenous opiate ligands; effects of cold storage of the preparations and of the age of experimental animals.

Naloxone-sensitive inhibition of neurogenic twitch contractions was induced by tetanic stimulation of the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea-pig ileum. In preparations stored in the cold for more than 2 days, the inhibition disappeared and in some preparations posttetanic potentiation was manifested, instead. Thus enkephalinergic neurones are more sensitive to the effect of cold storage than cholinergic neurones. The naloxone-sensitive posttetanic inhibition was developed in newborn animals but in animals older than 3 years a naloxone-resistent component appeared.