Beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulation inhibits ganglionic transmission in ferret trachea

To study the effect of beta-adrenoceptor stimulation on the transmission through airway parasympathetic ganglia, we used an in vitro nerve-muscle preparation of ferret trachea. Isometric muscle contractions were induced for 20 s every 2 min alternating with postganglionic activation by electrical field stimulation (EFS) or with preganglionic activation by direct nerve stimulation (DNS). The pulse frequency was always 12 Hz. A possible modulation of ganglionic transmission was assessed by comparing contractions induced by DNS to contractions induced by EFS. In 9 experiments isoprenaline initially reduced the response to EFS and DNS to the same extent, indicating an effect on postganglionic structures. After 20-30 min exposure the response to preganglionic activation by DNS was further reduced indicating an inhibition of ganglionic transmission. The concentration/response relationship for the ganglionic effect of isoprenaline was shifted about ten times to the right by 0.1 microM propranolol (n = 5) and by a beta 2-adrenoceptor-antagonist (0.1 microM ICI 118.551) (n = 8), whereas a beta 1-adrenoceptor-antagonist (10 microM practolol) had no, or only slight, effect. In two experiments pretreatment by 0.1 microM phenoxybenzamine for 20 min did not prevent ganglionic inhibition by 0.3 microM isoprenaline. We conclude that parasympathetic ganglia in ferret trachea have beta-adrenoceptors mediating inhibition of ganglionic transmission, and that these probably are of the beta 2 type. Tentatively these receptors could be operated upon by circulating catecholamines.