From the Department of Physiology, Medical School, Yazd University of Medical Sciences, Yozd, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Abstract: (4346 Views)
The effect of some endogenous components -endogenous opiates, cholecystokinin
(CCK), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and somatostatin-as inhibitory
or excitatory transmitters in the local nervous pathways involved in peristaltic
responses was examined. The peristaltic reflex was studied using a modification
of the Trendelenberg preparation. In each preparation, the luminal distension
pressure was increased in sudden steps of I cm H20 at intervals of 10, until
peristalsis was initiated. Morphine inhibited the rhythmic peristaltic activity. The
inhibitory effect of morphine was characterized by a decreased activity of both the
longitudinal and circular muscle layers. Addition of naloxone to the organ bath
reversed this inhibitory effect of morphine. Using distension pressures which
evoke only tetrodotoxin-sensitive peristaltic contractions, the mechanism rapidly
"fatigues". This fatigue can be reversed by naloxone. Higher distending pressure,
which can evoke tetrodotoxin-resistant activity, produced persistent peristalsis
with intermittent activity seize. Addition of naloxone reversed the b lockade
leading to a continuous uninterrupted peristalsis.
Proglumide ordbcGMP (selective inhibitor of the effects of CCK) increased the
threshold pressure necessary to cause the peristaltic reflex and blocked all
responses to threshold distension ..
Cholecystokinin or caerulein decreased the threshold of distension pressure
required to evoke the peristaltic reflex. Furthermore, it increased the height and
duration of the responses. The excitatory effect of CCK or caerulein was blocked
by proglumide or dbcGMP.
VIP increased the threshold of distension required to cause the peristaltic reflex
and blocked the responses to threshold distension of longitudinal but not circular
muscle layers.
Somatostatin has been proved to exert an unusual effect on peristalsis. At high
concentration it decreased the duration of the responses but had no effect on the
height of rhythmic activity. It is concluded that the activation of intramural
neurones by distension causes the release of inhibitory and excitatory transmitters,
such as endogenous opiates which interrupts peristaltic activity and CCK which
enhance the peristaltic reflex at a synapse with cholinergic neurones since CCK
releases acetylcholine from intrinsic nerves. VIP and somatostatin are involved in
the peristaltic reflex but the mechanism of their actions are not studied in this work.