Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Pages: 158-169

Journal: European Journal of Pharmacology

Volume number: 738

ISSN: 0014-2999

eISSN: 1879-0712

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.05.020

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 

Bradykinin is a mediator involved in inflammatory processes in the gut. Here we investigated the effect of bradykinin on the electrical activity of rat myenteric neurons, the key players for regulation of gastrointestinal motility. Bradykinin (2 x 10(-8) mol/l) induced a biphasic increase in frequency of action potentials measured with microelectrode arrays. This increase was mirrored by a biphasic increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](i)), which was observed in about 40% of the myenteric neurons. The braclykinin B-1 receptor agonist des-arg(9)-bradykinin as well as the bradykinin B-2 receptor agonist hyp(3)-bradykinin induced a similar effect on [Ca2+](i). Immunocytochemical stainings confirmed the expression of both receptor types by myenteric ganglionic cells. Real time PCR showed that the inducible B-1 receptor was upregulated during cell culture. The inhibition of cyclooxygenases with piroxicam reduced the effect of bradykinin on the electrical activity of myenteric neurons. The suppression of the glial growth on microelectrode arrays did not affect the bradykinin-induced change in frequency of action potentials. This suggests that prostaglandins, which probably mediate the effect of braclykinin, are not exclusively released from glial cells.

The bradykinin-induced increase in [Ca2+](i) was dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and was inhibited by Co2+, Cd2+, and Ni2+, blockers of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, indicating a stimulation of the influx of extracellular Ca2+ by the kinin. Consequently, bradykinin induces a Ca2+ influx in myenteric neurons via Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane.

Harvard Citation style: Würner, L., Pouokam, E. and Diener, M. (2014) The effect of bradykinin on the electrical activity of rat myenteric neurons, European Journal of Pharmacology, 738, pp. 158-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.05.020

APA Citation style: Würner, L., Pouokam, E., & Diener, M. (2014). The effect of bradykinin on the electrical activity of rat myenteric neurons. European Journal of Pharmacology. 738, 158-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.05.020