Adrenergic and cholinergic responses of the tracheal smooth muscle is enhanced during estrus phase in rat

Authors: M. KASIM ÇAYCI, YASEMİN AYDIN, KUBİLAY UZUNER

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate influences of hormonal changes during rat estrous cycle on airway responsiveness to bronchoconstrictor and bronchodilator agents. Materials and methods: The study was performed in 5 groups of rat tracheal smooth muscle obtained during proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus phases of the estrous cycle, as well as the ovariectomized group (n:8/group). Cumulative acetylcholine contractions ranging from 10^{-8} to 10^{-3} M bath doses and the cumulative isoproterenol relaxations ranging from 10^{-8} to 10^{-3} M precontracted with 10^{-5} M of acetylcholine were recorded on isolated tracheas placed in a computerized tissue bath system. Results: Acetylcholine-induced contractions ranging from 10^{-5} to 10^{-3} M were significantly enhanced dose-dependently in tracheal smooth muscle from estrus rats compared to those from metestrus and ovariectomized rats. The relaxation induced by isoproterenol (10^{-8} -10^{-3} M) also significantly increased in tracheal smooth muscle precontracted with acetylcholine (10^{-5} M) taken from estrus rats. However, acetylcholine-induced contractility increase in tracheal smooth muscle was much more prominent than isoproterenol-induced relaxations in tracheal smooth muscle from estrus rats. Conclusion: These findings indicated that changes in estrogen and/or progesterone levels during rat estrous cycle might affect acetylcholine and isoproterenol sensitivity of the tracheal smooth muscle.

Keywords: Acetylcholine, estradiol, estrous cycle, isoproterenol, tracheal smooth muscle

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