Mechanisms of the relaxations induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine on the rat isolated caecum.

The mechanism by which 5-HT produces relaxations of the rat caecum has been examined. Propranolol and cocaine markedly attenuated the relaxations whereas tetrodotoxin had no effect. Higher doses of propranolol and cocaine (greater than 10(-6) M), as well as reserpinization, converted the relaxations into contractions. There was a residual relaxation resistant to propranolol, cocaine and reserpine treatment. High doses of 5-HT (greater than 10(-5) M) were thus thought to relax the rat caecum indirectly, through the release of noradrenaline from the tissue by a tyramine-like action. The relaxations do not seem to be due only to the release of noradrenaline.