Differential effects of locally-applied capsaicin on distension-stimulated gastric acid secretion in the anesthetized rat

Neural emergency system in the stomach

The maintenance of gastric mucosal integrity depends on the rapid alarm of protective mechanisms in the face of pending injury. Afferent neurons of extrinsic origin constitute an emergency system that is called into operation when the gastric mucosa is endangered by acid and other noxious chemicals. The function of these chemoceptive afferents can be manipulated selectively and explored with the excitotoxin capsaicin. Most of the homeostatic actions of capsaicin-sensitive afferents are brought about by peptides released from their peripheral endings in the gastric wall. When stimulated, chemoceptive afferents enhance gastric blood flow and activate hyperemia-dependent and hyperemia-independent mechanisms of protection and repair. In the rodent stomach, these local regulatory roles of sensory neurons are mediated by calcitonin gene-related peptide acting via calcitonin gene-related peptide 1 receptors and neurokinin A acting via neurokinin 2 receptors, with both peptides using nitric oxide as their common messenger. In addition, capsaicin-sensitive neurons form the afferent arc of autonomic reflexes that control secretory and motor functions of the stomach. The pathophysiological potential of the neural emergency system is best portrayed by the gastric hyperemic response to acid backdiffusion, which is signaled by afferent nerve fibers. This mechanism limits damage to the surface of the mucosa and creates favorable conditions for rapid restitution and healing of the wounded mucosa.

Involvement of neuronal processes and nitric oxide in the inhibition by endotoxin of pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion

Administration of E. coli endotoxin (1 mg kg-1, i.v.) abolished the acid response induced by the i.v. infusion of pentagastrin (8 micrograms kg-1 h-1) in the continuously perfused stomach of the anaesthetized rat. Local serosal application of tetrodotoxin (36 ng per rat) completely restored acid responses to pentagastrin in endotoxin-treated rats. However, pretreatment with atropine (0.5 mg kg-1, s.c.), capsaicin (20, 30, and 50 mg kg-1, s.c. 2 weeks before the study) or guanethidine (16 mg kg-1, s.c. 3 and 16h before) did not influence the inhibitory effects of endotoxin. Continuous i.v. infusion with NG-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg kg-1 h-1) restored the secretory responses to pentagastrin in endotoxin treated rats. The effects of L-NAME were reversed by L-arginine (100 mg kg-1 h-1, i.v.), but not by its enantiomer D-arginine (100 mg kg-1 h-1, i.v.). The secretory responses elicited by pentagastrin (10(-10)-10(-6) M) in the isolated lumen perfused stomach of the rat were not influenced by incubation (100 min) with endotoxin (10 micrograms ml-1). These observations with tetrodotoxin indicate that inhibition of acid secretion by endotoxin in vivo involves neuronal activity, while inhibition of NO synthesis had a comparable inhibitory action. Activation of a systemic non-adrenergic non-cholinergic neuronal pathway involving NO could thus mediate the acute acid inhibitory effects of endotoxin.