Van Hoogmoed L, Rakestraw P C, Snyder J R, Harmon F A
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Am J Vet Res. 1998 Sep;59(9):1166-9.
To determine the role of nitric oxide and an apamin-sensitive nonadrenergic-noncholinergic inhibitory transmitter in in vitro contractile activity of the third compartment in llamas.
Isolated strips of third compartment of the stomach from 5 llamas.
Strips were mounted in tissue baths containing oxygenated Kreb's buffer solution and connected to a polygraph chart recorder to measure contractile activity. Atropine, guanethidine, and indomethacin were added to tissue baths to inhibit muscarinic receptors, adrenoreceptors, and prostaglandin synthesis. Responses to electrical field stimulation following addition of the nitric oxide antagonist Nwo-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and apamin were evaluated.
Electrical field stimulation (EFS) resulted in a reduction in the amplitude and frequency of contractile activity, followed by rebound contraction when EFS was stopped. Addition of L-NAME resulted in a significant reduction in inhibition of contractile activity. Addition of apamin also resulted in a significant reduction in inhibitory contractile activity at most stimulation frequencies. The combination of L-NAME and apamin resulted in a significant reduction in inhibition at all frequencies.
Nitric oxide and a transmitter acting via an apamin-sensitive mechanism appear to be involved in inhibition of contractile activity of the third compartment in llamas.
Results suggest that nitric oxide plays an important role in mediating contractile activity of the third compartment in llamas. Use of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors may have a role in the therapeutic management of llamas with lesions of the third compartment.
