The action of nerveside, a peptide extracted from brain, on myenteric ganglia in Auerbach's plexus.

1. In the rabbit jejunum nerveside causes alternating contractions of the longitudinal and circular muscles, which are similar to the peristaltic reflex produced by distension of the gut. These effects are abolished by dibucaine (Nupercaine) and tetrodotoxin. The site of action is located in Auerbach's plexus.2. Circular muscle contractions due to nerveside are blocked by hexamethonium, nicotine, morphine, atropine and hyoscine. There is no circular response to nerveside after removal of Auerbach's plexus. It is suggested that nerveside acts by stimulating presynaptic nerve terminals which are cholinergic and that the circular muscle is innervated by cholinergic nerve fibres.3. Longitudinal muscle contractions due to nerveside are not affected by hexamethonium but can be blocked by paralysis of myenteric ganglia with nicotine. They are not abolished by morphine or by cholinolytic drugs. It is suggested that nerveside acts by stimulating either receptors insensitive to acetylcholine in ganglion cells or non-cholinergic presynaptic nerve terminals. It is further suggested that the longitudinal muscle of the rabbit gut is supplied by non-cholinergic as well as cholinergic nerve fibres.