Characteristics of post-tetanic contraction induced by naloxone in guinea pig ileum

The characteristics of isolated guinea-pig ileal contractions of basal tension after tetanic stimulation in the presence of a high concentration of naloxone (NLX) [post-tetanic contraction] were investigated. The post-tetanic contraction did not occur in the absence of NLX, but did occur in a concentration-dependent manner in the presence of a high concentration of NLX (5 x 10(-7), 10(-6), 10(-5) and 5 x 10(-5) M), the concentration of which was higher than that required for antagonizing post-tetanic twitch inhibition. The contraction in the presence of 10(-6) M NLX was diminished by washing NLX from the preparation with Krebs-bicarbonate solution. The contraction under 10(-6) M NLX occurred in a frequency-dependent manner (5, 10 and 20 Hz), but not at 0.1 Hz. Tetanic stimulation (5, 10 and 20 Hz) without NLX did not induce this contraction. The post-tetanic contraction with 10(-6) M NLX had a tendency to be antagonized in the presence of 5 x 10(-6) M atropine. Methysergide (5 x 10(-5) M) had no effect on this contraction. Spantide (10(-5) M) largely inhibited the contraction, and indomethacin (5 x 10(-6) M) and tetrodotoxin (5 x 10(-7) M) completely inhibited this contraction. These results indicate that tetanic stimulation in the presence of a high concentration of NLX induces contraction of the ileal muscle due to the release of endogenous ileal contractile substances (substance P, prostaglandins and acetylcholine), and suggests that these contractions are closely linked to the endogenous opioid system induced by tetanic stimulation in the ileum.