Further studies on the effects of disodium cromoglycate on guinea pig ileum

Transmural electrical stimulation was carried out on innervated strips of the longitudinal muscle of guinea pig ileum. Disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) inhibited the electrically induced contractions. Five minutes later, prostaglandin E2 (2.5 ng/ml) was added to the bath and it reversed the action of DSCG. Furthermore, DSCG inhibits significantly the guinea pig ileum contractions induced by nicotine and also those induced by histamine and acetylcholine on ileum denervated by cooling. These results suggest that DSCG effects on guinea pig ileum contraction are mediated by membrane-stabilizing properties of this drug on smooth muscle fibres as well as on myenteric plexus.