The effect of 4-aminopyridine on acetylcholine release

The effect of 2-, and 4-aminopyridine (4-APYR) on the release mechanism of acetylcholine (ACh) from the nerve terminals of the Auerbach plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea-pig ileum, suspended in eserinized Krebs' solution, was investigated. 2- and 4-APYR increased the release of ACh from the nerve terminals at rest and at both low and high frequency stimulation. The enhanced ACh release was found to be due to increased volley output. At lower frequency of stimulation, potentiation of ACh release was much higher than at higher rate of stimulation. 4-APYR was able to increase ACh release in the absence of [Ca2+]o. However, when a Ca-chelating agent, EDTA, was also added to the Ca-free Krebs' solution, 4-APYR was entirely ineffective. The depression of ACh release induced by Mg-excess was completely antagonized by 4-APYR. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) prevented augmentation of ACh release by 4-APYR. It is suggested that 4-APYR lowers the demand of nerve terminals for [Ca2+]o required for the excitation-secretion coupling process. The presence of a low concentration [Ca2+]o, however, is essential for the action of 4-APYR.