GABA(B) receptor-mediated effects on vagal pathways to the lower oesophageal sphincter and heart

1 GABA(B) receptors influencing vagal pathways to the lower oesophageal sph incter and heart were investigated. 2 In urethane-anaesthetized ferrets, the GABA(B) agonist baclofen (7 mu mol kg(-1) i.v.) increased basal lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure. T his was reversed by antagonism with CGP35348 (100 mu mol kg(-1) i.v.). Bacl ofen's effect was abolished by vagotomy, suggesting a central action, yet i t was ineffective when given centrally (3-6 nmol i.c.v.). 3 Peripheral vagal stimulation (10 Hz, 5 s duration) caused LOS inhibition, followed by excitation, then prolonged inhibition. Bradycardia was also ev oked during stimulation. Bradycardia and LOS responses were abolished after chronic supranodose vagotomy, indicating that they were due to stimulation of vagal pre-ganglionic neurones, not antidromic stimulation of afferents. 4 Baclofen (1-10 mu mol kg(-1)) reduced bradycardia and enhanced LOS excita tion, which was also seen in animals pretreated with atropine (400 mu g kg( -1) i.v.) and guanethidine (5 mg kg(-1) i.v.), but not in those pretreated with L-NAME (100 mg kg(-1) i.v.). 5 Effects of baclofen (7 mu mol kg(-1) i. v.) on vagal stimulation-induced LOS and cardiac responses were unchanged by the GABA, antagonists CGP35348 or CGP36742 (up to 112 mu mol kg(-1) i.v.), but were reversed by CGP62349 ( ED50 37 nmol kg(-1) i.v.) or CGP54626 (ED50 100 nmol kg(-1) i.v.). 6 Responses of isolated LOS strips to electrical stimulation, capsaicin, NK -1, NK-2 and nicotinic receptor agonists were all unaffected by baclofen (l ess than or equal to 200 mu M). 7 We conclude that baclofen reduces vagal output at two peripheral sites: o ne presynaptically on pre-ganglionic neurones (CGP35348-insensitive), and a nother (CGP35348-sensitive) that could not be identified. This demonstrates heterogeneity of GABA(B) receptors through differential sensitivity to ant agonists.