Potentiation of acetylcholine-induced smooth muscle contraction in rat ileum by lead.

The aim of this study was to find out lead interaction on acetylcholine-induced ileal (0.8 "to 1" longitudinal total strips) contractions in varying calcium (Ca++) or magnesium (Mg++) media and the cholinergic mechanism. Potentiation of ileal strips by lead (Pb++) remained dose-dependent as elicited by acetylcholine-induced contractions (1.81 x 10(-6) M to 1.28 x 10(-4) M). These were completely antagonized by atropine (1.01 x 10(-8) M). Lead (1.2 x 10(-5) M) potentiated contractions caused by acetylcholine in normal or in excess Ca++ media, but in low Ca++ or with various Mg++ media, lead failed to potentiate such contractions. Thus Pb++ has indirect cholinomimetic effect which involved extracellular Ca++.