Nicotine-induced decrease in acetylcholine release mediated by L-type (Cav1) calcium channels
To assess the possible role of Cav1 type of calcium channels in the nicotine-induced mechanism of ACh release autoinhibition, verapamil and nitrendipine were used at the same concentrations as in experiments with calcium transients.
Verapamil and nitrendipine application resulted in a significant decrease in the QC by 14.2 ± 3.2% (n = 5, 6 NMJs) and 11.2 ± 2.9% (n = 5, 6 NMJs), respectively (Figure 7). Nicotine application after pre-treatment with Cav1 channel blockers did not cause any changes in the evoked ACh release, and the QC was 101.6 ± 1.9% (n = 5, 6 NMJs) and 103.8 ± 2.4% (n = 5, 6 NMJs), respectively (Figure 7).