Postsynaptic potentiation of neurotransmission by neurokinin A in rat vas deferens

Effects of neurokinin A (NKA) on sympathetic neurotransmission were studied in rat vas deferens. Although neither prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocker, nor alpha, beta-methylene adenosine triphosphate, a P2-purinoceptor blocker, inhibited the NKA-induced contractions in the epididymal site, high concentration of NKA-induced contractions in the prostatic site were slightly decreased by either of the two blockers. Treatment with guanethidine, which prevents the release of sympathetic transmitters from presynaptic nerve endings, also had no effect on NKA-induced contractions in either site. To investigate the effects of NKA on the adrenergic and purinergic neurotransmission in more detail, we measured transmitter release by using [3H]norepinephrine or [14C]adenosine. Neither spontaneous or nor evoked 3H efflux, indicating NE release, was affected by NKA in either site. NKA enhanced 14C efflux, indicating ATP release, evoked by electrical stimulation in the epididymal site, which may be originated from smooth muscle. In the prostatic site, contractions induced by electrical stimulation were enhanced in spite of no increase in 3H or 14C efflux. These results suggest that: 1) NKA has no effect on presynaptic nerve terminals in both sites, 2) NKA potentiates the effects of neurotransmitters in the prostatic site, and 3) NKA modulates the neurotransmissions.