Faculty Collaboration Database

Cholinergic and nitrergic regulation of in vivo giant migrating contractions in rat colon. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2002 Sep;283(3):G544-52

Date

08/16/2002

Pubmed ID

12181166

DOI

10.1152/ajpgi.00114.2001

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0036721244 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   78 Citations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize in vivo rat colonic motor activity in normal and inflamed states and determine its neural regulation. Circular muscle contractions were recorded by surgically implanted strain-gauge transducers. The rat colon exhibited predominantly giant migrating contractions (GMCs) whose frequency decreased distally. Only a small percentage of these GMCs propagated in the distal direction; the rest occurred randomly. Phasic contractions were present, but their amplitude was very small compared with that of GMCs. Inflammation induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate suppressed the frequency of GMCs in the proximal and middle but not in the distal colon. Frequency of GMCs was suppressed by intraperitoneally administered atropine and 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methyl-piperidine methiodide and was enhanced by N(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Serotonin, tachykinin, and calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor or receptor subtype antagonists as well as guanethidine and suramin had no significant effect on the frequency of GMCs. Verapamil transiently suppressed the GMCs. In conclusion, unlike the canine and human colons, the rat colon exhibits frequent GMCs and their frequency is suppressed in inflammation. In vivo GMCs are stimulated by neural release of acetylcholine that acts on M3 receptors. Constitutive release of nitric oxide may partially suppress their frequency.

Author List

Li M, Johnson CP, Adams MB, Sarna SK

Authors

Christopher P. Johnson MD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Mona S. Li MD Assistant Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Animals
Calcium Channels, L-Type
Cholinergic Fibers
Colitis
Colon
Ileum
Myoelectric Complex, Migrating
Neurotransmitter Agents
Nitric Oxide
Purines
Rats
Rats, Inbred Lew
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Receptors, Neurotransmitter
Reference Values
Sympathetic Nervous System