Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 74 (3), 267-274 (1997)


Species Differences in the 5-Hydroxytryptamine-Induced Contraction in the Isolated Distal Ileum

Mayumi Yamano, Hiroyuki Ito and Keiji Miyata


Pharmacology Laboratories, Institute for Drug Discovery Research, Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan

Abstract: We investigated the mechanism of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced contraction in the longitudinal muscle of isolated distal ileum from ferrets, piglets and rats. 5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine concentration-dependently contracted the ileum of ferrets, piglets and rats. 2-Methyl-5-HT and m-chlorophenylbiguanide concentration-dependently contracted the ferret ileum, whereas they had no effect in piglets and rats. In ferrets, the 5-HT-induced contraction was inhibited by methysergide and by ramosetron, but not by ketanserin or GR113808. Atropine and tetrodotoxin suppressed contractions elicited by 5-HT, 2-methyl-5-HT and m-chlorophenylbiguanide in ferrets, but not that elicited by 5-methoxytryptamine. In piglets, 5-HT-induced contraction was inhibited by methysergide and by tetrodotoxin, but not by ketanserin, ramosetron, GR113808 or atropine. In rats, 5-HT-induced contraction was inhibited by methysergide and by ketanserin, but not by ramosetron or tetrodotoxin. In contrast, GR113808 enhanced contractions elicited by 5-HT or 5-methoxytryptamine. These results suggest that 5-HT-induced contraction in ferrets is mediated via 5-HT1 receptors on the muscle and by release of acetylcholine via 5-HT3 receptors. In piglets, 5-HT-induced contraction appears to be mediated by release of neurotransmitters other than acetylcholine via 5-HT1 receptors. 5-HT-induced contraction in rats is evoked via 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors on the muscle. Furthermore, 5-HT4 receptors may participate in the relaxation elicited by 5-HT in rats.

Keywords: Species difference, 5-HT receptor, Distal ileum, Longitudinal muscle


Copyright© The Japanese Pharmacological Society 1997

[Back to TOC]