[Effect of acetylcholine and cholinolytics on the activity of Pacinian corpuscles]

The effect of acetylcholine and cholinergic antagonists (atropine, d-tubocurarine, hexamethonium) was studied as applied to isolated decapsulated preparations. Acetylcholine (10(-5)-10(-4) g/ml) enhanced the sensitivity of the receptors to mechanical stimuli due to increased excitability of the Ranvier node. The amplitude of the receptor potential decreased. Cholinergic drugs did not block the responses of receptors to mechanical stimuli. The results provide evidence against the role of acetylcholine as a transmitter in the Pacinian corpuscles.