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The mechanisms of ethanol‐induced contraction of tracheal smooth muscle
Author(s) -
Jakupaj Muharrem,
Sopi Ramadan B,
Neziri Burim,
Krasniqi Avdyl,
Devaja Shqipe,
Dreshaj Ismail A
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.lb160
Subject(s) - contraction (grammar) , chemistry , ethanol , nitric oxide , nifedipine , acetylcholine , muscle contraction , nitric oxide synthase , biophysics , endocrinology , medicine , channel blocker , calcium , biochemistry , biology , organic chemistry
We have shown that ethanol induces contraction of pulmonary artery smooth muscle. Therefore, we hypothesized that ethanol induces contractile responses of tracheal smooth muscle and extra cellular Ca 2+ plays an important role on these responses. In vitro force measurements were performed in tracheal smooth muscle strips obtained from adult ferrets (n=33). TSM strips were treated with different concentration of ethanol (46 ‐ 322 mM). In another set of experiments strips were incubated in Ca 2+ free Krebs ‐Hensleit solution or a Ca 2+ channel blocker ‐ nifedipine was used and then treated with ethanol. The involvement of nitric oxide (NO) was studied by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) using N ω ‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester. The ethanol induced concentration‐dependent contraction of TSM. Prior treatment of tissues with a single dose of ethanol increased the contractile responses of TSM to acetylcholine (p<0.05). Lack of Ca 2+ in medium resulted with decrease of contractile force of the TSM likewise Ca 2+ channel blocker. Inhibition of NOS significantly increased contractile responses (p<0.001). These data demonstrate that ethanol induces contraction of TSM and it appears to play a critical role in enhancing cholinergically mediated contractile responses of TSM. Extra cellular Ca 2+ plays an important role on these responses and NO release as a relaxant molecule counteracts the effects of ethanol on TSM.