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New Evidence for a Cholinergic Process in Sympathetic Transmission

Nature volume 188, pages 858–859 (1960)Cite this article

Abstract

RECENTLY a cholinergic mechanism has been proposed in sympathetic transmission1–3. This suggestion was based on the following pieces of evidence. Sympathetic nerves contain cholinergic fibres2. Acetylcholine can exert a sympathomimetic effect acting at sites beyond the sympathetic ganglion cell, and this action depends on the presence of a store of catecholamine in the peripheral tissue4. Larger doses of acetylcholine can block the response to stimulation of postganglionic sympathetic fibres2. It was visualized that acetylcholine liberated from the endings of the cholinergic sympathetic fibres would impinge on a store of noradrenaline in the vicinity of the effector cells to bring about a final adrenergic response.

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Author notes

  1. M. J. RAND

    Present address: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of London,

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, Sydney, N.S.W.

    M. J. RAND & V. CHANG

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  1. M. J. RAND
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  2. V. CHANG
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RAND, M., CHANG, V. New Evidence for a Cholinergic Process in Sympathetic Transmission. Nature 188, 858–859 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/188858a0

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