Extrasynaptic effects of GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) agonists on myelinated axons of peripheral nerve
Effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) on the excitability of myelinated fibers of isolated amphibian sciatic nerves and their dorsal and ventral spinal roots have been compared with those of a GABAA agonist, THIP (4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol), and the GABAB agonist baclofen. Graded, prolonged increases in the amplitude of A-fiber half-maximal compound action potentials of Rana ballenderi sciatic nerves were evoked by GABA (Rmax = 49%, EC50 = 0.1 mM); responses to THIP were smaller (Rmax = 34%, EC50 = 1.1 mM) and with a different, distinctly biphasic recovery phase. In studies of Rana catesbeiana nerves and their attached spinal roots, excitability increases produced in fibers of the ventral roots by GABA were smaller than those of the dorsal roots. Peak changes evoked by THIP in both roots were similar to the effects of GABA on the ventral root; however, THIP's ventral root response showed much less sensitivity and was followed by a rapid recovery phase, undershoot, and secondary, prolonged enhancement. Bicuculline methiodide antagonized agonist-induced increases, and revealed the presence of significant decreases in excitability of the ventral root fibers at concentrations of GABA or THIP < 3 mM. Baclofen evoked inconsistent changes in the excitability of whole nerve and root fibers; small increases occurred with lower doses and secondary, delayed decreases with higher doses. The high concentration (≥ 0.1 mM) of the active isomer needed to cause a small response suggests a limited contribution and (or) presence of GABAB receptors. GABA and its agonists evoke complex, multiphasic excitability changes in the myelinated axons of the spinal roots and peripheral nerve. Contributions of different phases of increase and directions of change signify the participation of multiple receptors and (or) mechanisms. Responses of the dorsal root appear to reflect mainly GABAA-mediated increases in excitability; those of the ventral root include an additional or greater decrease, which may reflect a hyperpolarizing component mediated by a GABAC-like or bicuculline methiodide insensitive GABAA receptor. The large, prolonged responses of the sensory axons to GABA may be linked to their greater K+ channel conductance and related to the inhibitory transmitter's depolarizing action at the more proximal site of their central presynaptic terminals.Key words: dorsal and ventral roots, amphibian, excitability, GABAA, GABAB, GABAC.