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Effects of amino acid neurotransmitters on spontaneous muscular activity of the rumen amphistome, Gastrothylax crumenifer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 May 2009

P.K. Verma ,
D. Kumar  and
S.K. Tandan
P.K. Verma*
Affiliation:
Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly243 122, UP, India
D. Kumar
Affiliation:
Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly243 122, UP, India
S.K. Tandan
Affiliation:
Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly243 122, UP, India
*
*E-mail: drpawankv@yahoo.co.in
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Abstract

Amino acid neurotransmitters play an important role in regulating neuromuscular activity of helminth parasites. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of different amino acid neurotransmitters [l-glutamate, glycine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)] on spontaneous muscular activity of isometrically mounted Gastrothylax crumenifer. l-Glutamate caused a significant increase in the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous contractions of rumen fluke at 10− 7–10− 4 m and at 10− 5–10− 4 m concentrations, respectively. Glycine application (10− 7–10− 3 m) produced a significant decrease in the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous muscular contractions in a concentration-dependent manner, as compared to control amplitude (0.53 ± 0.02 g) and frequency (51 ± 4.65/5 min). Similarly, GABA produced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in amplitude, baseline tension and frequency of spontaneous muscular contractions of G. crumenifer. To further substantiate the GABA effect, GABAA receptor antagonists, picrotoxin and bicuculline were applied. Picrotoxin (10− 5–10− 3 m) caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in amplitude, baseline tension and frequency of the rumen fluke as compared to control; whereas bicuculline did not elicit any observable effect in these attributes in isometrically mounted rumen flukes. These observations suggested that l-glutamate has an excitatory, whereas GABA and glycine have an inhibitory, effect on the spontaneous muscular activity of G. crumenifer.

Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 83 , Issue 4 , December 2009 , pp. 385 - 389
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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