Mechanisms of the White Sea cod Gadus morhua marisalbi (Gadidae) intestinal smooth muscle cholinergic contraction: the contribution of various subtypes of M-cholinergic receptors and Rho-kinase

The study of the functioning of various body systems in different vertebrates is one of the key tasks of comparative physiology. Teleost fish are a large group of vertebrates, however, the mechanisms of functioning of their digestive tract have been studied little and mainly only for such a model object as Danio rerio. The aim of this work was to characterize the participation of various subtypes of M-cholinergic receptors and the enzyme Rho-kinase in the cholinergic contraction of the intestinal smooth muscles of the White Sea cod Gadus morhua marisalbi (Gadidae). A longitudinal strip was excised from the proximal cod intestine and placed in an apparatus for recording contractile responses in the isometric mode. Contractile responses to acetylcholine were completely blocked by atropine. Blockade of M3 cholinergic receptors with 4-DAMP resulted in a decrease in acetylcholine-induced contraction compared with the control response. Blockade of M1 receptors with pirenzepine led to a weakening of contraction, less pronounced than with blockade of M3 cholinergic receptors. Blockade of M2-cholinergic receptors with methoctramine did not affect the magnitude of the contractile response. Incubation of preparations with the Rho-kinase inhibitor fasudil was accompanied by a significant decrease in contractile responses compared with the control, as well as a faster decrease in the contraction force after reaching the “peak” of the reaction. Thus, acetylcholine causes contraction of cod intestinal smooth muscle by activating M3- and M1- but not M2-cholinergic receptors. The activity of the Rho-kinase enzyme contributes to the development and maintenance of cod intestinal smooth muscle contraction under the action of acetylcholine. The results obtained are of interest for comparative physiology, may be important for understanding the mechanisms of the damaging effect of environmental factors on the bony fish’ body, as well as for the use of fish as objects of preclinical studies of drugs.

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