Studies of the interaction of 5-hydroxytryptamine and the perivascular innervation of the guinea-pig caecum.

1. The action and interaction of noradrenaline (NA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the sympathetic innervation was studied in the isolated taenia of the guinea-pig caecum.2. Addition of 5-HT led to a contraction of the taenia while addition of NA or perivascular nerve stimulation resulted in relaxation. Responses to 5-HT or perivascular nerve stimulation were abolished by tetrodotoxin. Tetrodotoxin did not affect responses to applied NA. Hexamethonium and hyoscine converted the 5-HT response to a relaxation and augmented the relaxation which followed low frequency perivascular nerve stimulation. Hexamethonium and hyoscine did not affect the dose-response relationship for NA.3. Fatigue of mechanical responses of the taenia to perivascular nerve stimulation was accelerated when nerves were stimulated in the presence of 5-HT or alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha-MPT). These two agents were additive in this action.4. Reserpine, 6-hydroxydopamine and alpha-MPT all reduced the NA content of the taenia. However, only after 6-hydroxydopamine could adrenergic activity be related to NA content.5. Segments of taenia were incubated with either tritiated NA or 5-HT. An increased rate of release of radioactivity followed perivascular nerve stimulation after incubation with either substance. This release did not occur when tissue was taken from animals given reserpine or 6-hydroxydopamine.6. It is concluded that 5-HT activates neural elements exclusively while NA has a direct effect on smooth muscle. 5-HT can apparently be taken up by adrenergic axons, and appears to enter the releasable neurotransmitter pool. Since none of the actions characteristic of 5-HT are seen when it is released by adrenergic axons as a false neurotransmitter, the released amine probably fails to reach neuronal receptors for 5-HT.