Release of non-neuronal acetylcholine from the isolated human placenta is affected by antidepressants

• Published in: Life sciences (1973) 2007-05, Vol.80 (24-25), p.2210-2213
• Main Authors: Wessler, Ignaz, Herschel, Sabine, Bittinger, Fernando, Kirkpatrick, Charles James
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetylcholine - secretion; ACh release; Amitriptyline - pharmacology; Antidepressants; Antidepressive Agents - pharmacology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Doxepin - pharmacology; Female; Human placenta; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents - pharmacology; In Vitro Techniques; Metformin - pharmacology; Minoxidil - pharmacology; Neurons - metabolism; Organic cation transporter; Placenta - drug effects; Placenta - metabolism; Pregnancy; Theophylline - pharmacology; Time Factors; Vasodilator Agents - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0024-3205; 1879-0631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2007.01.004

Non-neuronal acetylcholine (ACh) is released from the human placenta into the extracellular space via organic cation transporters (OCTs). The present experiments investigated whether ACh release from epithelial cells is affected by drugs which are substrates of OCTs. The antidepressant drugs amitriptyline and doxepine were tested as both substances are not approved for pregnant women but frequently used. Release of ACh was measured in 10 min intervals over a period of 100 min. Test substances were added from t=50 min of incubation onwards. The effect was calculated by comparing the ACh release of the last three samples (t=70–100 min; B2) with that immediately before the application of the test substances (t=20–50 min; B1). The baseline ACh release amounted to 2.07±0.17 nmol/10 min (n=29; villus). Under control conditions a B2/B1 ratio of 0.78±0.02 was obtained. The following B2/B1 ratios were found, when therapeutic drugs were added: 0.54±0.04 (n=7; P