Intracellular action of magnesium in airways smooth muscle relaxation in rabbit
K. I. Gourgoulianis, G. Chatziparasidis, A. Chatziefthimiou, P. -A. Molyvdas

This study was designed to examine whether magnesium has an intracellular action on airways smooth muscle contraction. Tracheal muscle strips were obtained from six male rabbits and perfused in a bathing chamber. The muscle was incubated in Krebs solution for 15 min. Then, the bath solution was changed to a Ca++ free (calcium free) solution for 10 min. 10-4 M Ach (acetyl choline) applied in the Ca++ free solution evoked a muscle contraction, at about 60% of initial contraction induced by 10-4 Ach in Krebs solution. After control contraction, magnesium sulfate (range 10-4 - 1 M) was applied in Ca++ free solution. At each dose of magnesium pretreatment the response of the muscle to 10-4 M Ach in Ca++ free solution was measured. Magnesium caused a decrease in Ach-induced contraction in a dose- dependent manner. 10-1 M MgSO4 depressed to 13.28% of the contraction of Ach in Calcium free solution. The time to peak contraction and to washout, were also decreased. The concentration for 50% inhibition (IC50) of the maximal contraction was estimated to be 10-3 M MgSO4. Re-admission of Krebs solution to muscle strip, resulted in contraction as a consequence of massive influx of Ca++ that occurs during the phase of Ca++ repletion. These data suggest that magnesium has an intracellular action and inhibits smooth muscle contraction in a Ca++ free solution probably by inhibiting Ca++ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Keywords: Airways, asthma, magnesium, pathophysiology

Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology 8: 47-51, 1999

Autorenanschrift:

K. I. Gourgoulianis, M.D.
Dept. of Physiology
Medical School
University of Thessaly
22 Papakiriazi
GR-41222 Larissa
Greece
Phone: 041-532501
Fax: 041-255420