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I T Lippe

Publications and source records attributed to I T Lippe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 are activated by gastric luminal injury in dorsal root ganglion neurons via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.

Mitogen activated protein kinases such as phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (pERK 1/2) have been recently demonstrated to play an important role in somatic nociception and hyperalgesia. In the present study we examined whether pERK 1/2 is involved in the response of sensory neurons to a noxious visceral stimulation, in particular, of the gastric mucosa. After induction of gastric injury by oral administration of 0.5M HCl pERK 1/2 expression was determined by Western blotting of caudal thoracic dorsal root ganglia and by immunohistochemistry in stomach-innervating dorsal root ganglion neurons which were retrogradely labeled with True Blue. The content of pERK 1/2 remained unchanged in dorsal root ganglia until 2 h post-HCl, however, was found elevated 4 (approximately 80%) and 6 h (approximately 100%) after HCl administration. True Blue-labeled pERK 1/2-immunoreactive neurons were likewise increased 6 h post-HCl (204%) and were mainly of small size (20-40 microm) and negative for neurofilament 200 (approximately 76%). The majority of these cells also expressed the nociceptive transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (approximately 70%). The gastric mucosa was simultaneously examined for lesion formation showing highest percentage of damage 6 h post-HCl. Application of a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist (MK-801; 100 microg/kg s.c.) significantly reduced HCl-induced pERK 1/2 expression and mucosal lesions 6 h post-HCl. Activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 signaling cascade indicates that visceral primary afferents may sensitize after gastric noxious stimulation involving N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 pathway therefore may not only be of importance for somatic but also for visceral nociception.

Animals↗

Vagal afferent input from the acid-challenged rat stomach to the brainstem: enhancement by interleukin-1beta.

Exposure of the gastric mucosa to back-diffusing concentrations of HCl (0.25 M, pH 0.51) stimulates vagal afferent input to the brainstem. Here we have examined whether pretreatment of rats with the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha causes sensitization of vagal afferent pathways to HCl. Rats were pretreated i.p. with interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (10 microg/kg) or their vehicle (sterile saline) 24, 48 and 96 h before intragastric administration of HCl (0.25 M, 1 ml/100 g). Activation of neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii was visualized by c-Fos immunohistochemistry 2 h after the HCl challenge. I.p. administration of interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha alone induced c-Fos in the brainstem, an effect that was gone after 24 h. At this time, however, the effect of HCl to cause expression of c-Fos in the nucleus tractus solitarii was significantly enhanced by pretreatment with interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The sensitizing effect of i.p.-administered interleukin-1beta was sustained for more than 48 h and prevented by the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist anakinra. Intracisternal administration of interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (100 ng) failed to amplify the HCl-evoked expression of c-Fos in the brainstem. These results show that peripheral administration of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha induces prolonged sensitization of vagal afferent pathways to gastric HCl challenge. This effect seems to arise from a peripheral action on vagal afferents and may be of relevance to gastric chemonociception.

Afferent Pathways↗

The gut as a neurological organ.

We refer to the gut as a neurological organ to emphasize the particular importance of the nervous system in the regulation of digestive functions, given that the gastrointestinal tract is innervated by five different classes of neurons: intrinsic enteric neurons, vagal afferents, spinal afferents, parasympathetic efferents and sympathetic efferents. Virtually each aspect of digestive activity is under the regulatory influence of neurons, among which the enteric nervous system (ENS) plays the most important part. The ENS acts like a brain in the gut that functions independently of the central nervous system, contains programmes for a variety of gastrointestinal behaviours and governs the activity of all gastrointestinal effector systems according to need. Intrinsic sensory neurons supply the ENS with the kind of information that this system requires for its autonomic control of digestion, whereas extrinsic afferents notify the brain about any data that are relevant to energy and fluid homeostasis and the sensation of discomfort and pain. Many diseases of the gut, particularly the functional bowel disorders, seem to be related to dysfunction of the ENS and other components of the gastrointestinal innervation. The ENS and extrinsic afferents are hence prime targets for the therapeutic management of gut diseases and for the relief of the pain and discomfort associated with these disorders.

Abdominal Pain↗

Mucosal acid challenge activates nitrergic neurons in myenteric plexus of rat stomach.

We tested the hypothesis that intrinsic neurons of the rat gastric myenteric plexus can be activated by an acid (HCl) challenge of the mucosa. Activated neurons were visualized by immunohistochemical detection of c-Fos, a marker for neuronal excitation. The neurochemical identity of the neurons activated by the HCl challenge was determined by colocalizing c-Fos with a marker for excitatory pathways, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and a marker for inhibitory pathways, nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Two hours after intragastric administration of HCl or saline, stomachs were removed and immunofluorescence triple labeling of myenteric neurons was carried out on whole mount preparations. Treatment with 0.35, 0.5, and 0.7 M HCl induced c-Fos in 8%, 56%, and 64%, respectively, of NOS-positive but not ChAT-positive neurons. c-Fos was also seen in glial cells of HCl-treated rats, whereas in saline-treated animals c-Fos was absent from the myenteric plexus. HCl treatment did not change the proportion of ChAT- and NOS-immunoreactive neurons in the myenteric ganglia. It is concluded that gastric acid challenge concentration-dependently stimulates a subpopulation of nitrergic, but not cholinergic, myenteric plexus neurons, which may play a role in muscle relaxation, vasodilatation, and/or secretion.

Animals↗

Surveillance of the gastrointestinal mucosa by sensory neurons.

A dense network of extrinsic and intrinsic sensory neurons supplies the gastrointestinal tract. Intrinsic sensory neurons provide the enteric nervous system with the kind of information that this brain of the gut requires for its autonomic control of digestion, whereas extrinsic afferents notify the brain about processes that are relevant to energy and fluid homeostasis and the sensation of discomfort and pain. The sensory repertoire of afferent neurons is extended by their responsiveness to mediators released from enteroendocrine and immune cells, which act like "taste buds" of the gut and serve as interface between the gastrointestinal lumen and the sensory nerve terminals in the lamina propria of the mucosa. Functional bowel disorders such as non-ulcer dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome are characterized by abdominal discomfort or pain in the absence of an identifiable organic cause. It is hypothesized with good reason that infection, inflammation or trauma causes sensory pathways to undergo profound phenotypic and functional alterations that outlast the acute insult. The pertinent changes involve an exaggerated sensitivity of the peripheral afferent nerve fibres as well as a distorted processing and representation of the incoming information in the brain. This concept identifies a number of receptors and ion channels that are selectively expressed by primary afferent neurons as important molecular targets at which to aim novel therapies for functional bowel disorders.

Colonic Diseases, Functional↗

Tachykinin NK1 and NK2 receptor-mediated control of peristaltic propulsion in the guinea-pig small intestine in vitro.

The tachykinins substance P and neurokinin A are excitatory cotransmitters of cholinergic enteric neurons, their actions being mediated by NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptors. This study examined which of these receptors are part of the neural circuitry of peristalsis. Peristaltic propulsion in luminally perfused segments of the guinea-pig isolated ileum was elicited by a rise of the intraluminal pressure. The pressure threshold at which peristaltic contractions were triggered was used to quantify drug effects on peristalsis, inhibition of peristalsis being reflected by an increase in the pressure threshold. The NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptor antagonists SR-140333, SR-48968 and SR-142 801 (each at 0.1 microM), respectively, had little effect on peristaltic activity as long as cholinergic transmission was left intact. However, both the NK1 and NK2 receptor antagonist (each at 0.1 microM) abolished peristalsis after cholinergic transmission via muscarinic receptors had been blocked by atropine (1 microM) and peristalsis rescued by naloxone (0.5 microM). When cholinergic transmission via nicotinic receptors was suppressed by hexamethonium (100 microM) and peristalsis restored by naloxone (0.5 microM), only the NK2 receptor antagonist (0.1 microM) was able to attenuate peristaltic performance as deduced from a rise of the peristaltic pressure threshold by 106%. The NK3 receptor antagonist (0.1 microM) lacked a major influence on peristalsis under any experimental condition. It is concluded that tachykinins acting via NK1 and NK2 receptors sustain intestinal peristalsis when cholinergic neuroneuronal and neuromuscular transmission via muscarinic receptors has been suppressed. NK2 receptors help maintaining peristalsis once cholinergic neuroneuronal transmission via nicotinic receptors has been blocked, whereas NK3 receptors play little role in the neural pathways of peristalsis.

Animals↗

Dual excitatory and inhibitory effect of nitric oxide on peristalsis in the guinea pig intestine.

The implications of the enteric neurotransmitter nitric oxide (NO) in intestinal peristalsis were investigated. Propulsive motility in isolated segments of the guinea pig ileum was triggered by intraluminal fluid infusion to distend the intestinal wall, and the pressure threshold for eliciting peristaltic waves was used to quantify facilitation (decrease in threshold) or inhibition (increase in threshold) of peristalsis. The NO donor sodium nitroprusside (0.1-100 microM serosally) caused a prompt facilitation of peristalsis, which in the presence of a threshold concentration of atropine (10 nM) was followed by a concentration-related blockade of peristalsis. Further analysis showed that sodium nitroprusside (10 and 100 microM) first relaxed, then contracted, and finally relaxed the longitudinal muscle of the guinea pig isolated ileum, the contraction being blocked by atropine (1 microM). Inhibition of NO synthase by NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (100-300 microM) facilitated peristalsis, an effect that was reduced by L-arginine (1 mM) but left unaltered by atropine (10 nM). Blockade of inhibitory neuromuscular transmission by successive exposure of the ileum to apemin (0.5 microM) and NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (300 microM), in this or reverse order, disrupted the coordinated pattern of peristalsis and caused irregular nonpropulsive contractions of the circular muscle. It is concluded that NO has a dual excitatory and inhibitory effect on intestinal motility. The excitatory effect involves cholinergic motor neurons, whereas the inhibitory effect reflects relaxation of intestinal muscle. Abolition of peristalsis by combined exposure to NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester and apamin attests to an essential role of enteric inhibitory motor neurons in the coordination of propulsive motility in the intestine.

Animals↗

Diverse interactions of calcitonin gene related peptide and nitric oxide in the gastric and cutaneous microcirculation.

Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) is the major mediator of afferent nerve mediated vasodilatation in the gastric mucosa and skin of the rat. Since receptors for CGRP occur on both the vascular endothelium and smooth muscle, it is conceivable that the vascular actions of CGRP involve multiple mechanisms. The vasodilator effect of rat CGRP-alpha in the rat gastric mucosa is indeed inhibited by blockage of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, as is the gastric mucosal hyperemia in response to gastric acid challenge, which is mediated by CGRP release from afferent nerve fibres. In contrast, the vasodilator response to rat CGRP-alpha in the rat hind paw and the CGRP-mediated vasodilatation evoked by antidromic stimulation of afferent nerve fibres do not depend on the formation of NO. These data indicate that NO plays regionally different roles in the local vasodilator action of CGRP. NO is a secondary vasorelaxant messenger of CGRP in the gastric, but not in the cutaneous, microcirculation. However, this L-arginine-derived autacoid may have a role in the irritant-induced CGRP release from afferent vasodilator fibres in the skin.

Animals↗

Participation of nitric oxide in the mustard oil-induced neurogenic inflammation of the rat paw skin.

The possibility of nitric oxide (NO) participating in the neurogenic inflammatory reaction of the rat hindpaw skin to topical application of mustard oil was examined in anesthetized rats. Vasodilation was measured by contactless infrared emission thermography, plasma protein exudation was measured by the Evans blue leakage technique, and formation of oedema was determined by measurement of the paw volume. Topical administration of mustard oil increased the temperature of the paw skin by 2-3 degrees C, a response that was accompanied by plasma protein extravasation and followed by development of slight oedema amounting to a 7-8% increase in paw volume. That the mustard oil-induced increase in paw temperature and oedema formation was neurogenic was shown by the finding that both responses were absent in adult rats treated with a neurotoxic dose of capsaicin (0.16 mmol kg-1 s.c.) as neonates. NG-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 43 mumol kg-1 i.v.) an inhibitor of NO formation, caused a significant increase in mean arterial blood pressure and a moderate decrease in cutaneous blood flow, whereas the same dose of the inactive enantiomer, D-NAME, was without effect. L-NAME, but not D-NAME, reduced the cutaneous hyperaemia caused by topical administration of mustard oil by about 50% but did not significantly diminish the exudative reaction to mustard oil. These findings indicate that endothelium-derived NO plays a mediator role in the vasodilator component of mustard oil-induced neurogenic inflammation in the rat paw skin whereas the increase in vascular permeability does not seem to involve NO directly as a mediator.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Role of nitric oxide in the vasodilator but not exudative component of mustard oil-induced inflammation in rat skin.

The participation of nitric oxide (NO) in the neurogenic inflammatory reaction of the rat hindpaw skin to topical application of mustard oil was examined by the use of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 43 mumol kg-1 i.v.), an inhibitor of NO formation. Control rats received the same dose of the inactive enantiomer D-NAME. Vasodilatation was recorded by contactless infrared emission thermography, and plasma protein exudation was measured by the Evans Blue leakage technique and by measurement of the paw volume in anaesthetized rats. L-NAME reduced the cutaneous hyperaemia caused by topical administration of mustard oil by about 50% but did not change the exudative reaction to mustard oil. These findings indicate that NO plays a mediator role in the vasodilator component of neurogenic inflammation in the rat paw skin, whereas the increase in vascular permeability does not appear to depend on NO.

Administration, Topical↗

Effect of bradykinin and tachykinin receptor antagonist on xylene-induced cystitis in rats.

The effects of the bradykinin receptor selective antagonist, Hoe 140, and of the tachykinin NK-1 receptor antagonist (+/-)CP 96,345 were investigated in a rat model of chemically-induced cystitis (intravesical instillation of xylene in female rats). Intravenous injection of bradykinin (1 mumol./kg.) or substance P (3 nmol./kg.) produced plasma protein extravasation (PPE) in the rat urinary bladder. Bradykinin response was prevented by Hoe 140 (100 nmol./kg. intravenously) and unaffected by (+/-)CP 96,345 (10 mumol./kg. intravenously). Plasma protein extravasation produced by substance P was inhibited by (+/-)CP 96,345 but unchanged by Hoe 140. Catheterization required for intravesical xylene instillation into the female rat bladder produced per se an inflammatory response which was abolished by either Hoe 140 or (+/-)CP 96,345. Intravesical instillation of xylene produced a large PPE response which was reduced by about 65% by Hoe 140 or (+/-)CP 96,345. Combined administration of the two antagonists produced an additive effect on the PPE response to xylene. We conclude that both bradykinin and tachykinins are involved in the inflammatory reaction of the rat urinary bladder to catheterization and xylene irritation.

Administration, Intravesical↗

Nitric oxide-dependent and -independent hyperaemia due to calcitonin gene-related peptide in the rat stomach.

1. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) potently enhances mucosal blood flow in the rat stomach. The aim of this study was to examine whether CGRP also dilates extramural arteries supplying the stomach and whether the vasodilator action of CGRP involves nitric oxide (NO). 2. Rat CGRP-alpha (0.03-1 nmol kg-1, i.v.) produced a dose-dependent increase in blood flow through the left gastric artery (LGA) as determined by an ultrasonic transit time technique in urethane-anaesthetized rats. Blockade of NO synthesis by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 20 and 60 mumol kg-1, i.v.) significantly reduced basal blood flow (BF) in the LGA and attenuated the hyperaemic activity of CGRP by a factor of 2.8-4. D-NAME tended to enhance basal BF in the LGA but had no influence on the dilator activity of CGRP. The ability of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide to increase left gastric arterial blood flow remained unaltered by L-NAME. 3. L-NAME (20 and 60 mumol kg-1, i.v.) evoked a prompt and sustained rise of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and caused a slight decrease in the hypotensive activity of CGRP. In contrast, D-NAME induced a delayed and moderate increase in MAP and did not influence the hypotensive activity of CGRP. 4. Rat CGRP-alpha dilated the isolated perfused bed of the rat LGA precontracted with methoxamine and was 3 times more potent in this respect than rat CGRP-beta. The dilator action of rat CGRP-alpha in this preparation was not affected by L-NAME or D-NAME (40 microM). 5. L-NAME (60 micromol kg-1, i.v.) reduced gastric mucosal blood flow as assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry and diminished the hyperaemic activity of rat CGRP-alpha in the gastric mucosa by a factor of 4.5, whereas D-NAME was without effect.6. These data show that CGRP is a potent dilator of mucosal and extramural resistance vessels in the rat stomach. Its dilator action involves both NO-dependent and NO-independent mechanisms.

Anesthesia↗

Chronic nicotine intake causes vascular dysregulation in the rat gastric mucosa.

Chronic cigarette smoking has adverse effects on peptic ulcer disease because the healing of ulcers is delayed and the incidence of relapses is enhanced. Short term intake of nicotine induces vascular damage in the rat gastric mucosa, but the pathophysiological mechanisms of nicotine's action in the stomach are largely unknown. In this study rats were treated with nicotine, added to their drinking water, for 50 days. They were then anaesthetised and their stomachs perfused with acidified acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Chronic nicotine treatment failed to change the effects of acidified ASA to induce gastric mucosal acid back diffusion, haemorrhagic damage and bleeding. Basal blood flow in the gastric mucosa was also unchanged by chronic nicotine intake, whereas the mucosal hyperaemia evoked by ASA induced acid back diffusion was averted. The concentrations of sulfidoleukotrienes were significantly augmented in the gastric wall of nicotine treated rats. These data show that chronic nicotine intake causes dysregulation of the gastric microcirculation, an effect that is associated with biochemical changes in the stomach. This study thus substantiates the adverse effects of smoking on gastric mucosal pathophysiology. These data suggest that inappropriate regulation of gastric mucosal blood flow inhibits recovery from gastric mucosal injury in smokers.

Animals↗

Inhibitory role of capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons and nitric oxide in hemostasis.

Capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons control blood flow via release of peptide transmitters and formation of nitric oxide (NO). The present study examined whether capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons and NO interact in the control of hemostasis. Afferent nerve ablation by pretreating rats with a neurotoxic dose of capsaicin (125 mg/kg) led to a 26% reduction of the time of bleeding from punctured small mesenteric arteries in pentobarbital-anesthetized animals. Blockade of NO formation by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg) attenuated the bleeding time in capsaicin-pretreated rats but had no effect in vehicle-pretreated rats. Platelet aggregation induced by ADP was significantly augmented by 12% in capsaicin-pretreated rats. L-NAME did not alter platelet aggregation in vehicle-pretreated rats but enhanced it in capsaicin-pretreated animals. The prothrombin and partial thromboplastin time and the plasma levels of fibrinogen and antithrombin III remained unchanged by capsaicin or L-NAME, whereas the thrombin time was reduced in capsaicin-pretreated rats. These data indicate that capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons play an inhibitory role in platelet aggregation and hemostasis, a function in which they interact with the NO system.

Animals↗

Participation of capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons in gastric motor inhibition caused by laparotomy and intraperitoneal acid.

Stimulation of somatic or visceral nociceptors causes changes in gastrointestinal motor activity and blood pressure. The present study examined the possible participation of capsaicin-sensitive afferent and noradrenergic efferent neurons in the blood pressure and gastric motor responses to laparotomy and intraperitoneal injection of capsaicin or hydrochloric acid in the rat. Gastric motor activity was measured by recording the intragastric pressure of phenobarbital-anaesthetized rats via an oesophageal catheter. Laparotomy as well as intraperitoneal injection of capsaicin (33 and 330 microM) or hydrochloric acid (30 mM) caused a transient reduction of gastric motor activity stimulated by intravenous infusion of bombesin (200 pmol/min) and a brief fall of blood pressure (depressor effect). The depressor effect of laparotomy was followed by prolonged hypertension. Defunctionalization of capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons by systemic pretreatment of rats with capsaicin (0.4 mmol/kg) prevented the depressor effect and gastric motor inhibition elicited by laparotomy, intraperitoneal capsaicin (33 microM) or intraperitoneal hydrochloric acid (30 mM). However, the effects of 330 microM capsaicin on blood pressure and gastric motility were only partially reduced by capsaicin pretreatment. Blockade of noradrenergic sympathetic neurons by pretreating rats with guanethidine (0.225 mmol/kg) prevented the gastric motor inhibition and depressor effects of laparotomy and intraperitoneal injection of hydrochloric acid (30 mM). The inhibition of gastric motility caused by capsaicin (33 and 330 microM) was only partially reduced by guanethidine pretreatment. The secondary hypertension following the depressor effect of intraperitoneal capsaicin or hydrochloric acid was enhanced in guanethidine-pretreated rats whereas the prolonged hypertension induced by laparotomy was left unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Participation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide but not prostacyclin in the gastric mucosal hyperaemia due to acid back-diffusion.

1. The possible participation of prostacyclin and nitric oxide (NO) in the gastric mucosal hyperaemic response to acid back-diffusion through a disrupted gastric mucosal barrier was examined. The experiments were carried out on anaesthetized rats in which acid back-diffusion was elicited by gastric perfusion with dilute ethanol in 0.15 M HCl and gastric mucosal blood flow (MBF) was measured by the hydrogen gas clearance technique. 2. Indomethacin (28 mumols kg-1, s.c.), an inhibitor of the formation of cyclo-oxygenase products including prostacyclin, failed to alter mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), basal MBF and the hyperaemic response to acid back-diffusion in urethane-anaesthetized rats. 3. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 13 and 43 mumols kg-1, i.v.), an inhibitor of endothelium-derived NO formation, increased MAP in a dose-dependent manner. Whilst basal MBF in urethane-anaesthetized rats was not changed, the increase in MBF caused by gastric perfusion with dilute ethanol in acid was dose-dependently depressed by L-NAME. The loss of H+ ions from the gastric lumen, an indirect measure of acid back-diffusion, was significantly enhanced by 43 mumols kg-1 L-NAME. In contrast, D-NAME (13 and 43 mumols kg-1) was without effect on MAP, basal and stimulated MBF, and acid back-diffusion. 4. Unlike in urethane-anaesthetized rats, L-NAME led to a significant reduction of basal MBF in phenobarbitone-anaesthetized rats. MAP in the phenobarbitone-anaesthetized rats was significantly higher than in urethane-anaesthetized rats, and the hypertensive effect of L-NAME under phenobarbitone anaesthesia was significantly smaller than under urethane anaesthesia.5. The rise in MBF brought about by acid back-diffusion was blocked by L-NAME administered to phenobarbitone-anaesthetized rats. Infusion of L-arginine (120 pmol kg -1 min- ', i.v.) led to a partial, but significant, reversal of the effects of L-NAME on MAP and the hyperaemia due to acid back-diffusion.6. These findings indicate that endothelium-derived NO plays an important mediator role in the gastric mucosal vasodilatation caused by back-diffusion whilst vasodilator prostanoids such as prostacyclin are not involved.

Anesthesia↗

Gastric mucosal hyperemia due to acid backdiffusion depends on splanchnic nerve activity.

Acid backdiffusion through a disrupted gastric mucosal barrier leads to an increase in gastric mucosal blood flow (MBF). This response involves afferent neurons that pass through the celiac ganglion. The present study examined the neural pathways that underlie the rise in MBF caused by gastric perfusion with 15% ethanol in 0.15 N HCl. MBF was measured by the hydrogen gas clearance technique in urethan-anesthetized rats. Mucosal hyperemia due to acid backdiffusion was not changed by acute bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagotomy but was blocked by acute removal of the celiac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex or acute bilateral transection of the greater splanchnic nerves. Hexamethonium (85 mumol/kg iv) also attenuated the rise in MBF due to acid backdiffusion, whereas guanethidine (0.225 mmol/kg sc) had no effect. None of the procedures and drug treatments altered basal MBF to a significant extent. Transection of the splanchnic nerves, hexamethonium, and guanethidine lowered mean arterial blood pressure, but hypotension as such did not significantly influence the hyperemic response under study. Taken together, the previous and present data indicate that the rise in MBF caused by acid backdiffusion depends on the integrity of afferent and efferent neural pathways that run in the splanchnic nerves and through the celiac ganglion. The efferent pathway involves ganglionic transmission through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors but is independent of noradrenergic neurons.

Animals↗