Modulation of canine antral circular smooth muscle by acetylcholine, noradrenaline and pentagastrin.

1. The effects of acetylcholine, noradrenaline and pentagastrin on the action potential of canine antral circular muscle were determined using the intracellular micro-electrode technique. 2. Acetylcholine increased the amplitude and duration of the plateau potential of the action potential. Since these effects were blocked by atropine but not by hexamethonium, the effects of acetylcholine were on muscarinic receptors, probably located on the smooth muscle cell. 3. Pentagastrin 2 x 10(-10) M increased the size of the plateau potential and the frequency of the action potential; pentagastrin 1 x 10(-9) M increased the frequency of the action potential complex and produced a marked diastolic depolarization between action potentials. The effect on the size of the plateau potential was biphasic. The amplitude and half-time duration of the plateau potential increased in the first 3 min, but thereafter, during steady-state conditions, they were the same as or slightly greater than those obtained in Krebs solution. 4. All the effects produced by pentagastrin were due to a direct action on the smooth muscle cell. 5. Noradrenaline decreased the size of the plateau potential but increased its frequency; high concentrations (greater than 10(-5) M) additionally produced a diastolic depolarization between action potentials. These effects were mediated primarily by alpha-adrenoceptors presumably located on the smooth muscle cell. 6. It was concluded that the substances studied primarily alter the size of the plateau potential in antral circular muscle. Since phasic contractions are associated with the plateau potential, it is suggested that agents which increase the size of the plateau potential increase the force of the contraction whereas agents which decrease the size of the plateau potential have the opposite effect.