Spontaneous Contractions Augmented by Cholinergic and Adrenergic Systems in the Human Ureter.
10.4196/kjpp.2011.15.1.37
- Author:
Hyun Woo LEE
1
;
Cheol Hee BAAK
;
Moo Yeol LEE
;
Young Chul KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Life and Leisure Sport/Sport Industry, College of Sports Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Interstitial cell of Cajal;
Pacemaker activity;
Spontaneous contraction;
Human ureter
- MeSH:
Acetylcholine;
Contracts;
Glyburide;
Humans;
Interstitial Cells of Cajal;
Muscle, Smooth;
Norepinephrine;
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases;
Ureter
- From:The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
2011;15(1):37-41
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) evoke pacemaker activities in many tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between interstitial cell and pacemaker activity in the human ureter through the recording of spontaneous contractions. Spontaneous contractions of eight circular and longitudinal smooth muscle strips of the human ureter to acetylcholine (ACh) and/or norepinephrine (NE) were observed. Human ureteral strips were divided into proximal and distal groups, and each group was subdivided into circular and longitudinal groups. The proximal group showed spontaneous activities of 3~4 times within 5 minutes in the longitudinal group. ACh (10(-4) M) augmented the frequency of the spontaneous contractions. The cumulative application of NE also augmented the frequency in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of NE application were inhibited by concomitant application of 10(-5) M glibenclamide. Receptor tyrosine kinase (c-kit) staining revealed abundant ICCs only in proximal tissues. Therefore, spontaneous contractions of the human ureter might be modulated by ICC in the proximal region, and the actions might be related with the activation of cholinergic and/or adrenergic system mediated by a glibenclamide-sensitive pathway.
