Selective stimulation of intrinsic excitatory and inhibitory motor pathways in porcine lower oesophageal sphincter

B. Lecea, E. Martínez, M. Aulí, Á Opazo, P. Clavé

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Abstract

The mechanisms of stimulation of inhibitory and excitatory motor neurons (MNs) in the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of selective stimulation of inhibitory and excitatory MNs in porcine LOS through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), 5-HT3 and P2X receptors. Circular LOS strips from adult pigs were studied in organ baths. We compared the effects of stimulation of MNs by electrical field stimulation (26 V, 0.3-20 Hz); nicotine (1-300 μmol L-1); 5-HT and 2-Me-5-HT (1 nmol-1-30 μmol L -1); and α,β-methylene ATP (α,β-meATP 1-100 μmol L-1); in standard Krebs solution; a non-adrenergic non-nitrergic non-purinergic (NANNNP) solution; and a non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) solution. Electrical stimulation of inhibitory MNs caused an intense LOS relaxation (-78.94 ± 4.50% of LOS tone); and of excitatory MNs, a strong contraction (17.89 ± 1.96 g). Nicotine 100 μmol L-1 relaxed LOS (-84.67 ± 3.98%) in standard Krebs solution, an effect reduced by Tetrodotoxin (TTX) 1 μmol L-1. Nicotine induced a weak TTX-sensitive contraction (1.64 ± 0.4 g) in NANNNP solution. 5-HT 10 μmol L-1 and 2-Me-5-HT 30 μmol L -1 contracted LOS in standard, NANC and NANNNP conditions, maximal responses (7.30 ± 1.52 g, 3.50 ± 0.18 g respectively) being reduced by TTX. α,β-meATP 100 μmol L-1 caused a LOS relaxation (-17.45 ± 6.62%) unaffected by TTX in NANC solution, and a contraction (6.7 ± 0.85 g) antagonized by TTX in NANNNP solution. Our results suggest selective mechanisms for stimulation of intrinsic excitatory and inhibitory motor pathways in porcine LOS. Inhibitory MNs are strongly stimulated by nAChRs and do not respond to stimulation of 5-HT3 and P2X receptors. By contrast, excitatory MNs are stimulated through 5-HT 3 and P2X receptors, stimulation through nACRs being difficult and causing a weak response. © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Original languageEnglish
JournalNeurogastroenterology and Motility
Volume21
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2009

Keywords

  • Excitatory motor neurons
  • Inhibitory motor neurons
  • Ligand-gated ion channels
  • Lower oesophageal sphincter
  • Selective stimulation

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