[The effect of cholinergic substances on individual mechanoreceptors--Pacinian corpuscles]

Acetylcholine and nicotine application to the intact pacinian corpuscle failed to stimulate the spike activity, but changed the sensitivity to the mechanical stimulation: low concentration (1.10(-6) g/ml) increased the sensitivity and high concentration (1.10(-4) g/ml) decreased it. This influence can be attributed to the action of these substances on the structures which generate the action potentials. Acetylcholine application to decapsulated pacinian corpuscles stimulated the appearance of the spike activity. This reaction was possibly connected with the acetylcholine influence on the mechanoreceptive zones proper. Tubocurarine or hexonium application of decapsulated pacinian corpuscles led to depression of the sensitivity of the receptor to the mechanical stimulation that can also be explained by the participation of acetylcholine in the process of adequate receptor stimulation.