Tachykinins play a minor role in mediating the third phase of the contractile response to vagal nerve stimulation of the guinea-pig oesophagus.

The aim of this study was to determine whether tachykinin receptors might be involved in the mediation of the atropine- and capsaicin-sensitive third phase of a triphasic contractile response to vagal nerve stimulation of the guinea-pig isolated oesophagus. The third phase was inhibited 23.3 +/- 1.7% (P< 0.001, n = 5) and 30. 8 +/- 9.0% (P< 0.05, n = 5) by the NK(3)receptor antagonist, SR 142 801 (0.1 and 1 microM respectively). SR 142 801 (0.1 and 1 microM) had no significant effect on the response to a submaximal concentration of acetylcholine (0.1 mM, n = 4). The third phase was not significantly affected by NK(1)or NK(2)receptor antagonists. Thus, in the guinea-pig oesophagus, it appears that while NK(1)and NK(2)receptors are not involved, NK(3)receptors play a minor role in mediating a contractile response when afferent neurones are excited by vagal nerve stimulation.