Direct and indirect effects of adenosine 5'-triphosphate on guinea-pig ileum

1 The inhibitory effects of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) were compared on the responses to electrical stimulation, and to direct and indirect stimulation by drugs of the longitudinal smooth muscle of guinea-pig ileum before and after blocking nervous activity. 2 While the major inhibitory effect of ATP was an indirect one on the intramural excitatory nerves, there was also a small direct effect on the muscle. 3 ATP also had direct and indirect excitatory effects. The direct effect particularly was only seen with high concentrations of ATP, but the appearance of these excitatory effects may be affected by the inhibitory actions.