Action of cholinesters on sensory nerve endings in skin and muscle

1. This is a review of the literature on the subject of the effects of cholinesters and their agonists on sensory nerve endings. 2. The present-day view is that acetylcholine (ACh) has an excitatory action on some cutaneous receptors. Responses appear to be limited to receptors served by small myelinated and un-myelinated axons where responsiveness is multimodal; that is, the receptors are activated by noxious thermal and mechanical stimulation. 3. The possible role played by acetylcholine in sensory transduction processes is discussed, as are other explanations for the presence of nicotinic cholinergic receptors on the terminals of cutaneous receptors. 4. The excitatory action of ACh and succinylcholine (SCh) on muscle spindles is described. Two possible mechanisms are considered: a direct depolarizing action on the nerve terminals and indirect excitation, brought about by a contracture of the intrafusal fibres on which the sensory endings lie. 5. The technique of using SCh in combination with fusimotor stimulation is described. This has provided new information about the internal workings of muscle spindles. Brief mention is also made of the action of SCh on tendon organs and joint receptors. 6. It is concluded that a direct action by cholinesters is restricted to receptors served by small axons with multimodal functions. The precise role of such an action remains the subject of speculation. Possible clinical significance is discussed.