[Adrenergic receptors in the pathogenesis of congenital megacolon (author's transl)].

Contractions of fresh specimens of taenial musculature from human colon were investigated under the influence of depolarization (bathing in solutions high in potassium), of acetylcholine, and of adrenaline; definite changes of contractile tension could be induced by these agents. The investigations were carried out using normal musculature as well as specimens from patients with congenital megacolon taken from the narrow segment. Contractions after depolarization and after cholinergic stimulation were equal in all specimens investigated, pre-extension of these specimens not differing significantly. Relaxation of colon musculature mediated by adrenergic receptors was very pronounced in normal musculature, but was lacking in specimens taken from the narrow segments of congenital megacolon. Sympathetic stimulation of normal taenial musculature does abolish completely cholinergically induced contractions. On the other hand, a preparation relaxed by adrenaline contracts very little after additional application of acetylcholine. These findings do suggest a severe disturbance of adrenergic receptors in the colon, or of adrenergic neuromuscular transmission in congenital megacolon.