Mathematical modelling of the enteric nervous network. 4. Analysis of adrenergic transmission

Based on the model of the adrenergic neurone proposed earlier, the dynamics of nerve-pulse transmission after treatment with inhibitors of neuronal uptake and catechol-O-methyltransferase, alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists, changes in the concentration of Ca2+ ions in the external medium, the action of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and repetitive stimulation, are analysed. The results of numerical simulation show that: the addition of drugs that inhibit neuronal uptake and catechol-O-methyltransferase cause the augmentation of noradrenaline action on post-synaptic structures and an increase in the amplitude of the generated inhibitory post-synaptic potential (IPSP); treatment with adrenergic antagonists reduces the amplitude of IPSP; decrease in the concentration of extracellular Ca2+ ions and application of TTX abolish the post-synaptic response. All these effects are shown to be dose-dependent. The repetitive stimulation of the neurone reproduces the effects of accumulation and potentiation. Possible applications of the results obtained are discussed.