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Related Concept Videos

Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions01:30

Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions

Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists, also known as anticholinesterases, exert their pharmacological effects by enhancing cholinergic transmission in various body parts, including the neuromuscular junction, autonomic cholinergic synapses, and the brain.
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions00:59

Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions

Direct-acting cholinergic agonists exert their pharmacological actions by mimicking the effects of acetylcholine on postsynaptic muscarinic receptors to generate parasympathetic responses. These agents elicit a range of physiological responses, including cardiovascular effects. For example, activation of muscarinic receptors induces bradycardia, decreased cardiac output, reduced peripheral resistance, and consequent hypotension. In the eye, stimulation of M3 receptors leads to smooth muscle...
Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic01:25

Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic

The pharmacological actions of acetylcholine are elicited via its binding to two families of cholinergic receptors or cholinoceptors, namely, muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Muscarinic receptors are G protein-coupled receptors and have five subtypes, M1–M5. All mAChR subtypes are activated by acetylcholine and blocked by the antagonist, atropine. 
The subtypes M1, M3, and M5 couple with the Gq subunit and activate the phospholipase C (PLC) activity, mobilizing intracellular Ca2+. Activation...
Inflammatory Response01:28

Inflammatory Response

An inflammatory response is a localized, nonspecific immune reaction that occurs when a tissue is injured. It is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, which are commonly called the cardinal signs and symptoms of inflammation. Inflammation can sometimes result in a loss of function.
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
Parasympathetic Signaling01:30

Parasympathetic Signaling

Parasympathetic signaling plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes. It involves the release of acetylcholine (ACh) by parasympathetic neurons, which can have localized and short-lived effects. The majority of ACh released is rapidly inactivated at the synapse by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which hydrolyzes Ach into choline and acetate. Additionally, the tissue cholinesterase deactivates any ACh diffusing into the surrounding tissues.
The effects of...
Cholinergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions01:28

Cholinergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions

Antimuscarinic drugs block muscarinic receptors in multiple systems, including the gut, eye, smooth muscles, respiratory tract, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. They produce similar effects with varying selectivity depending on the specific agent and tissue. Here are the key pharmacological actions of antimuscarinics:
Gastrointestinal Effects: Antimuscarinics reduce gut contractions, increase gastric emptying, and slow intestinal transit. They partly inhibit gastric acid secretion...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Increased Recovery Time and Decreased LPS Administration to Study the Vagus Nerve Stimulation Mechanisms in Limited Inflammatory Responses
06:43

Increased Recovery Time and Decreased LPS Administration to Study the Vagus Nerve Stimulation Mechanisms in Limited Inflammatory Responses

Published on: March 29, 2017

Cholinergic modulation of inflammation.

Valentin A Pavlov1

  • 1Laboratory of Biomedical Science, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA.

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine
|December 17, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Augmenting cholinergic signaling via the vagus nerve and alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (alpha7nAChR) can regulate inflammation. This approach shows promise for treating excessive inflammation in various disease models.

Keywords:
Inflammationcholinergic anti-inflammatory pathwaycytokinesinflammatory diseasesvagus nerveα7nAChR

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Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response
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Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response

Published on: September 15, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Increased Recovery Time and Decreased LPS Administration to Study the Vagus Nerve Stimulation Mechanisms in Limited Inflammatory Responses
06:43

Increased Recovery Time and Decreased LPS Administration to Study the Vagus Nerve Stimulation Mechanisms in Limited Inflammatory Responses

Published on: March 29, 2017

Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response
12:50

Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response

Published on: September 15, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Inflammation research
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cytokine levels and inflammation are increasingly recognized as critical factors in numerous diseases.
  • The efferent vagus nerve and alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (alpha7nAChR) play a role in modulating inflammatory responses.
  • Existing research suggests a link between cholinergic signaling and the regulation of inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of recent studies on cholinergic signaling in inflammation.
  • To highlight the role of the vagus nerve and alpha7nAChR in suppressing excessive inflammation.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of cholinergic modalities for inflammatory diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of experimental studies investigating vagus nerve stimulation and alpha7nAChR agonists.
  • Analysis of preclinical models of various inflammatory conditions.
  • Examination of the mechanisms underlying cholinergic anti-inflammatory effects.

Main Results:

  • Cholinergic signaling, particularly via the vagus nerve and alpha7nAChR, effectively suppresses inflammation.
  • This mechanism has demonstrated efficacy in diverse disease models such as sepsis, colitis, and pancreatitis.
  • These findings advance the understanding of inflammation regulation.

Conclusions:

  • Selective cholinergic modalities offer a promising therapeutic strategy for managing excessive inflammation.
  • Targeting the vagus nerve and alpha7nAChR presents a novel approach for treating inflammatory diseases.
  • Further preclinical and clinical investigations are warranted to translate these findings into patient care.