[Effect of cholinergic substances on electrical processes in a ganglion of the enteric nervous system]

In the isolated in vitro segments of cat small intestine the sensitivity of myenteric neurons was studied by means of application of acetylcholine, nicotine, lobeline. The action of these drugs depended on their concentration: 10(-10)--10(-6)g/ml usually increased while larger concentrations (10(-5)g/ml) decreased the spontaneous activity. The preliminary application of d--tubocurarine (10(-6)g/ml), hexamethonium (10(-7)g/ml), and atropine (10(-6)g/ml) prevented the excitatory effects or suppressed neuronal discharges. The alteration of spontaneous activity seems to depend on the postsynaptic action of cholinergic drugs in M- and N-cholinoreceptors.