Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Local Application of Drugs to Study Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function in Mouse Brain Slices
Published on: October 29, 2012
[Modulation of electrical responses of endothelial cells by nicotinic cholinoreceptors]
Abstract:
Because the sustained component of hyperpolarization of endothelial cells evoked by acetylcholine in isolated rat aorta may partially be mediated by the reversed Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger and Na(+)-K(+) ATPase, the mechanisms which transport Na(+) out of cells, we compared the electrical responses of endothelial cells from isolated rat aorta to acetylcholine with other Ca(2+) mobilizing agents and studied the effect of nicotine on endothelial membrane potential in order to asses the functional activity of nicotinic cholinoreceptors. Ca(2+) ionophores A23187 and ionomycin, as well as inhibitors of endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase cyclopiazonic acid and 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone evoked a short-lived hyperpolarization which turned to a sustained depolarization of endothelial cells, a time course that substantially differed from that evoked by acetylcholine. Nicotine evoked a Na+ dependent depolarization of endothelial cells confirming functional activity ofnicotinic cholinoreceptors in rat aortic endothelial cells. The results suggest that stimulation of Na+ permeant nicotinic receptors by acetylcholine may contribute to sustained hyperpolarizatiom via stimulation of Na+ extrusion mechanisms.
More Related Videos
09:47Measurement of Endothelium-Dependent Vasorelaxation in the Mouse Thoracic Aorta Using Tensometric Small Volume Chamber Myography
Published on: August 12, 2022
14:39Cholinergic Ligand–dependent Modulation of Oxidative Phosphorylation Coupling in Digitonin-permeabilized BE(2)-C Neuroblastoma Cells
Published on: April 28, 2026
Related Concept Videos
Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...
Parasympathetic Signaling
The effects of...
Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic
The subtypes M1, M3, and M5 couple with the Gq subunit and activate the phospholipase C (PLC) activity, mobilizing intracellular Ca2+. Activation...
Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating sympathetic or...
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
Sensory organs,...