Heterogeneity of the effects of monensin on two types of contractions evoked by inhibition of Na+-K+ ATPase in the guinea-pig vas deferens

Abstract

The interactions between ouabain or K+-free medium and monensin on noradrenaline (NA) release and Ca2+-evoked contractions were assessed in guinea-pig vas deferens. Ouabain (10 microM) produced large, sustained contractions and monensin (1 microM) small, transient contractions. The ouabain-evoked contraction tended to be potentiated in the presence of monensin. The marked contraction induced by ouabain plus monensin was nearly abolished by phentolamine or by treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine. Ouabain caused the release of NA from the tissue, as determined in an HPCL-ECD study. This ouabain-evoked release of NA was enhanced by the simultaneous administration of monensin. High Ca2+ (10 mM) per se, ouabain, monensin or K+-free medium did not elicit contraction of the tissue in the presence of phentolamine. However, 10 mM Ca2+ caused a large contraction 45-65 min after exposure to ouabain or K+-free medium and this contraction was suppressed by monensin. The contraction evoked by Ca2+ in the presence of ouabain was further inhibited by amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+-Ca2+ or Na+-H+ exchange transport, but not by nifedipine, a voltage-dependent Ca2+ antagonist.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)