Beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in visceral smooth muscle.

ABSTRACT: Peripheral inhibitory nerves are physiological regulators of the contractile behavior of visceral smooth muscles. One of the transmitters responsible for inhibitory neurotransmission has been reputed to be a purine, possibly ATP. However, the exact identity of this substance has never been verified. Here we show that beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (beta-NAD), an inhibitory neurotransmitter candidate, is released by stimulation of enteric nerves in gastrointestinal muscles, and the pharmacological profile of beta-NAD mimics the endogenous neurotransmitter better than ATP. Levels of beta-NAD in superfusates of muscles after nerve stimulation exceed ATP by at least 30-fold; unlike ATP, the release of beta-NAD depends on the frequency of nerve stimulation. beta-NAD is released from ent

SUBMITTER: Mutafova-Yambolieva VN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2042211 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature