Direct measurement of the release of atp and its major metabolites from the nerve fibres of the guinea-pig taenia coli

Abstract

1. The release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate, adenosine monophosphate and adenosine from guinea-pig taenia coli in response to electrical stimulation of intramural nerves was measured directly using high performance liquid chromatography separation and fluorometric detection. 2. Purines were released in a frequency-dependent manner by trains of transmural electrical pulses at 1-30 Hz. 3. Electrically evoked release of ATP was abolished by tetrodotoxin (10(-6)mol/L) but was not affected by nicardipine (10(-6)mol/L). 4. The release of purines was reduced in the presence of atropine. 5. Pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating peptide did not evoke the release of any purin..