Skip to main content
The Journal of Physiology logoLink to The Journal of Physiology
. 1978 Apr;277:91–102. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1978.sp012262

A study of the canine gastric action potential in the presence of tetraethylammonium chloride.

J H Szurszewski
PMCID: PMC1282379  PMID: 650594

Abstract

1. The effects of tetraethylammonium (TEA) ion on the action potential of isolated longitudinal muscle of the dog antrum were used to gain some insight into the mechanism of generation of the plateau potential of the action potential complex. The double sucrose gap was used. 2. In concentrations of TEA up to 5 mM, the amplitude of the upstroke potential was increased. In 10mM-TEA there was also an increase in the amplitude of the plateau potential and in the maximum rate of rise of the upstroke potential. 3. Concentrations of TEA (3 mM and greater) increased the duration of the action potential. Five mM-TEA produced spike potentials which occurred only during the plateau potential of the action potential. Each spike caused a contraction. 4. The steady-state voltage-current relation was studied in normal Krebs solution and in TEA containing Krebs solution. In normal Krebs solution the voltage response was not a linear function of the applied current when outward current pulses were used. In TEA solution the voltage response was a linear function of the entire range of applied depolarizing current. 5. In low concentrations of TEA (2-4 mM), when the steady-state voltage-current relation was linear, constant current pulses were applied between action potentials and during the plateau potential to determine if there were a decrease in membrane slope resistance during the plateau. It was found that the amplitude of the electrotonic potential recorded during the plateau was significantly less than the amplitude of the electrotonic potential recorded between action potentials. 6. The rate of repolarization of the plateau potential was studied in normal Krebs solution and in 2 mM-TEA Krebs solution. The rate of repolarization of the plateau potential was slowed in TEA Krebs solution. 7. It is concluded that there is an increase in the membrane conductance during the plateau potential. The repolarization following the plateau potential is due to a TEA-sensitive outward current.

Full text

PDF
91

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Armstrong C. M., Hille B. The inner quaternary ammonium ion receptor in potassium channels of the node of Ranvier. J Gen Physiol. 1972 Apr;59(4):388–400. doi: 10.1085/jgp.59.4.388. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. BURKE W., KATZ B., MACHNE X. The effect of quaternary ammonium ions on crustacean nerve fibres. J Physiol. 1953 Dec 29;122(3):588–598. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1953.sp005023. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Bolton T. B. On the nature of the oscillations of the membrane potential (slow waves) produced by acetylcholine or carbachol in intestinal smooth muscle. J Physiol. 1971 Jul;216(2):403–418. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1971.sp009532. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Connor J. A., Prosser C. L., Weems W. A. A study of pace-maker activity in intestinal smooth muscle. J Physiol. 1974 Aug;240(3):671–701. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1974.sp010629. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Creed K. E., Gillespie J. S., Muir T. C. The electrical basis of excitation and inhibition in the rat anoccygeus muscle. J Physiol. 1975 Feb;245(1):33–47. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1975.sp010833. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. El-Sharkaway T. Y., Daniel E. E. Ionic mechanisms of intestinal electrical control activity. Am J Physiol. 1975 Nov;229(5):1287–1298. doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1975.229.5.1287. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. FATT P., KATZ B. The electrical properties of crustacean muscle fibres. J Physiol. 1953 Apr 28;120(1-2):171–204. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1953.sp004884. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Ito Y., Kuriyama H., Sakamoto Y. Effects of tetraethylammonium chloride on the membrane activity of guinea-pig stomach smooth muscle. J Physiol. 1970 Dec;211(2):445–460. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1970.sp009286. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Kroeger E. A., Stephens N. L. Effect of tetraethylammonium on tonic airway smooth muscle: initiation of phasic electrical activity. Am J Physiol. 1975 Feb;228(2):633–636. doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1975.228.2.633. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Magaribuchi T., Obu T., Sakamoto Y., Yamamoto Y. Some electrical properties of the slow potential changes recorded from the guinea pig stomach in relation to drug actions. Jpn J Physiol. 1972 Jun;22(3):333–352. doi: 10.2170/jjphysiol.22.333. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Mekata F. Electrophysiological studies of the smooth muscle cell membrane of the rabbit common carotid artery. J Gen Physiol. 1971 Jun;57(6):738–751. doi: 10.1085/jgp.57.6.738. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Mills R. G., Taylor G. S. Studies of intestinal slow wave activity with a double sucrose gap apparatus. Life Sci I. 1971 Mar 15;10(6):347–353. doi: 10.1016/0024-3205(71)90134-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Narahashi T. Chemicals as tools in the study of excitable membranes. Physiol Rev. 1974 Oct;54(4):813–889. doi: 10.1152/physrev.1974.54.4.813. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Ohba M., Sakamoto Y., Tomita T. The slow wave in the circular muscle of the guinea-pig stomach. J Physiol. 1975 Dec;253(2):505–516. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1975.sp011203. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Osa T., Kuriyama H. The membrane properties and decremental conduction of excitation in the fundus of the guinea-pig stomach. Jpn J Physiol. 1970 Dec 15;20(6):626–639. doi: 10.2170/jjphysiol.20.626. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. SUZUKI T., NISHIYAMA A., INOMATA H. Effect of tetraethyl ammonium ion on the electrical activity of smooth muscle cell. Nature. 1963 Mar 2;197:908–909. doi: 10.1038/197908a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Szurszewski J. H. Mechanism of action of pentagastrin and acetylcholine on the longitudinal muscle of the canine antrum. J Physiol. 1975 Nov;252(2):335–361. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1975.sp011147. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from The Journal of Physiology are provided here courtesy of The Physiological Society

RESOURCES