STIMULATION OF INTESTINAL NERVOUS ELEMENTS BY ANGIOTENSIN

Abstract

The stimulation of nervous elements in the intestine by the polypeptide angiotensin has been examined. Comparisons between nicotine, a neurotropic agent, acetylcholine which exerts principally a musculotropic action and angiotensin have been made by examining their interactions with hexamethonium and the anticholinesterase 1,5-di-(p-N-allyl-N-methylaminophenyl)pentan-3-one dibromide in both the rabbit and guinea-pig ileum. The effect of atropine on the responses of the guinea-pig ileum and botulinum toxin on the responses of the rabbit ileum to angiotensin was also tested. The results show that angiotensin causes most of its contractile response in both the guinea-pig and rabbit ileum by an indirect action, through the stimulation of nervous tissue.