Release of substance P-like immunoreactivity from the vascularly perfused rat stomach

[Clinicopharmacological study of gastrointestinal drugs from the viewpoint of postmarketing development]

Pharmaceutical development starts with the discovery of a new compound. Drugs become commercially available after non-clinical and clinical studies, but processes that take place after marketing are also important for pharmaceutical development. In recent years, use of the phrase "Ikuyaku" meaning postmarketing development has become more common. Sometimes, the proper usage, indications and harmful effects of a drug are discovered only after it becomes commercially available and is administered to many patients. Hence, pharmacists need to actively perform postmarketing studies to reveal the true nature of drugs. In the present clinicopharmacological study, we investigated the effects of histamine H(2) receptor antagonists (H(2)-RAs) on the plasma concentrations of gastrointestinal peptides from the viewpoint of postmarketing development. First we established an enzyme immunoassay for secretin, which is involved in gastrointestinal motility. Then we used this and existing peptide assays to investigate the above-mentioned issues. Ranitidine and nizatidine increased the plasma concentration of motilin. It is believed that the plasma concentration of Ach is elevated by ranitidine and nizatidine, which possesses an anti-AchE activity, and that the increased the plasma concentration of Ach facilitated release of motilin, elevating the plasma concentration of motilin. When compared to the placebo, lafutidine significantly increased the plasma concentration of CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) and substance P. Furthermore, released CGRP stimulated CGRP1 receptors to facilitate secretion of somatostatin. Therefore, lafutidine appears to protect the gastric mucosa and regulate gastrointestinal motility. The same results were obtained with ranitidine and nizatidine. While H(2)-RAs have a common function in suppressing the secretion of gastric acid, they do not exhibit the same effects on factors related to recurrence of peptic ulcer, such as gastrointestinal motility and blood flow in the gastrointestinal mucosa. Hence, measuring the plasma concentration of gastrointestinal peptides can be used to estimate the effects of drugs on gastrointestinal motility. From the viewpoint of postmarketing development, we are in the process of establishing indicators for the proper usage of pharmaceutical drugs. Pharmacists need to closely follow and monitor adverse reactions. In order to further improve monitoring of drug therapy, it will be necessary to assess not only the blood concentrations of drugs, but also biological reactions to the drugs. Since the levels of peptides reflect the clinical efficacy of gastrointestinal drugs, measuring peptide levels appears to be useful for selecting appropriate drugs.

Effects of capsaicin on visceral smooth muscle: a valuable tool for sensory neurotransmitter identification

Studying the visceral effects of the sensory stimulant capsaicin is a useful and relatively simple tool of neurotransmitter identification and has been used for this purpose for approximately 25 years in the authors' and other laboratories. We believe that conclusions drawn from experiments on visceral preparations may have an impact on studies dealing with the central endings of primary afferent neurons, i.e. research on nociception at the spinal level. The present review concentrates on the effects of capsaicin--through the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor type 1 (TRPV1) receptor--on innervated gastrointestinal, respiratory and genitourinary smooth muscle preparations. Tachykinins and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are the most widely accepted transmitters to mediate "local efferent" effects of capsaicin-sensitive nerves in tissues taken from animals. Studies more and more frequently indicate a supra-additive interaction of various types of tachykinin receptors (tachykinin NK(1), NK(2), NK(3) receptors) in the excitatory effects of capsaicin. There is also evidence for a mediating role of ATP, acting on P(2) purinoceptors. Non-specific inhibitory actions of capsaicin-like drugs have to be taken into consideration while designing experiments with these drugs. Results obtained on human tissues may be sharply different from those of animal preparations. Capsaicin potently inhibits tone and movements of human intestinal preparations, an effect mediated by nitric oxide (NO) and/or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide.

Cellular localization and distribution of neurokinin-1 receptors in the rat stomach

In the stomach, the majority of substance P's effects are mediated by the activation of neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptors. The gastric cellular distribution of these receptors in Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats was determined using immunocytochemistry. The localization of the NK1 receptors with respect to von Willebrand's factor, protein gene product 9.5, substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and calcitonin gene-related peptide was also determined. Results show that NK1 receptor immunoreactivity was dependent on the duration of fixation. In corpus and antrum tissues that were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 30 min, the presence of NK1 receptor immunoreactivity was demonstrated on nerve fibers throughout the stomach, on the surface and in the cytoplasm of myenteric cell bodies, on circular smooth muscle cells, and on vascular endothelial cells. This was observed in tissues from both rodent strains. Overnight fixation in the same fixative, however, demonstrated the presence of NK1 receptor immunoreactivity only on nerve fibers and cell bodies of the myenteric plexus, and on circular smooth muscle cells. In 30-min fixed tissues, the localization of NK1R immunoreactivity on vascular endothelial cells and nerve fibers was confirmed by co-localization with von Willebrand's factor and protein gene product 9.5 immunoreactivity, respectively. In both rodent strains, NK1 receptor immunoreactivity was co-localized with substance P immunoreactivity on nerve fibers of the longitudinal and circular muscle. In the Wistar rat, NK1 receptor immunoreactivity was co-localized with vasoactive intestinal peptide immunoreactivity or calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity throughout the stomach. However, in the Sprague-Dawley rat, NK1 receptor immunoreactivity was only co-localized with calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity in a minority of fibers of the circular muscle. The overall results of this study show that the antigenic epitopes of the NK1 receptor are sensitive to overfixation. When tissues were not overfixed, NK1 receptor immunoreactivity was distributed more extensively throughout the rat stomach than has been described previously. The results of this study provide the anatomical basis for many of the actions of substance P in the rat stomach.

Effects of histamine H(2)-receptor antagonists on human plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide

The effects of the histamine H(2)-receptor antagonists (H(2)-antagonists), ranitidine, nizatidine, cimetidine and famotidine, on plasma levels of gastrointestinal peptides, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was investigated with respect to regulation of gastric mucosal blood flow, in healthy volunteers. H(2)-Antagonists or placebo was orally administered to five healthy male volunteers. Venous blood samples were taken before and after drug administration. The levels of plasma gastrointestinal peptides were determined by enzyme immunoassay. The administration of ranitidine and nizatidine caused significant increases in plasma CGRP and SP levels at 30 to 120 min compared with the placebo group. Peak plasma CGRP levels (39.8+/-3.1 and 40.6+/-3.6 pg mL(-1)) were achieved 60 min after administration of ranitidine and nizatidine, respectively. Maximum plasma SP levels (21.3+/-5.2 and 22.8+/-4.2 pg mL(-1)) were reached 60 min after administration of ranitidine and nizatidine, respectively. However, all H(2)-antagonists did not alter the levels of VIP. The released CGRP and SP by ranitidine and nizatidine administration may produce a gastroprotective effect, increase mucosal blood flow, and inhibit acid secretion in the gastrointestinal tract.

Mast cells are involved in the gastric hyperemic response to acid back diffusion via release of histamine

Acid back diffusion into the rat stomach mucosa leads to gastric vasodilation. We hypothesized that histamine, if released from the rat mucosa under such conditions, is mast cell derived and involved in the vasodilator response. Gastric blood flow (GBF) and luminal histamine were measured in an ex vivo chamber. Venous histamine was measured from totally isolated stomachs. Mucosal mast cells (MMC), submucosal connective tissue mast cells (CTMC), and chromogranin A-immunoreactive cells (CgA IR) were assessed morphometrically. After mucosal exposure to 1.5 M NaCl, the mucosa was subjected to saline at pH 5.5 (control) or pH 1.0 (H(+) back diffusion) for 60 min. H(+) back diffusion evoked a marked gastric hyperemia, increase of luminal and venous histamine, and decreased numbers of MMC and CTMC. CgA IR cells were not influenced. Depletion of mast cells with dexamethasone abolished (and stabilization of mast cells with ketotifen attenuated) both hyperemia and histamine release in response to H(+) back diffusion. GBF responses to H(+) back diffusion were attenuated by H(1) and abolished by H(3) but not H(2) receptor blockers. Our data conform to the idea that mast cells are involved in the gastric hyperemic response to acid back diffusion via release of histamine.

Capsaicin-sensitive afferents and their role in gastroprotection: an update

The pivotal role of capsaicin-sensitive peptidergic sensory fibers in the maintenance of gastric mucosal integrity against injurious interventions was suggested by the authors 20 years ago. Since then substantial evidence has accumulated for the local sensory-efferent function of the released CGRP, tachykinins and NO in this gastroprotective mechanism. This overview outlines some recent achievements which shed light on new aspects and further horizons in this field. (1) Cloning the capsaicin VR-1 receptor (an ion channel-coupled receptor) and raising the VR-1 knockout mice provided a definite molecular background for the existence of capsaicin-sensitive afferents with both sensory and mediator releasing functions in the stomach. This cation channel is also sensitive to hydrogen ions. (2) VR-1 agonists (capsaicin, resiniferatoxin, piperine) protect against gastric ulcer of the rat parallel with their sensory stimulating potencies. (3) Antidromic stimulation of capsaicin-sensitive vagal and somatic afferents results in the release of CGRP, tachykinins, NO and somatostatin. Somatostatin with gastroprotective effect is released from D cells and sensory nerve endings. (4) The recent theory for the existence of spinal afferents without sensory function [P. Holzer, C.A. Maggi, Dissociation of dorsal root ganglion neurons into afferent and efferent-like neurons, Neuroscience 86 (1998) 389-398] is discussed. Data proposed to support this theory are interpreted here on the basis of a dual sensory-efferent function of VR-1 positive afferents, characterized by a frequency optimum of discharges for release vasodilatory neuropeptides below the nociceptive threshold. (5) Recent data on the effect of capsaicin in healthy human stomach are summarized. These results indicate that the gastroprotective effect of capsaicin in the human stomach involves additional mechanisms to those already revealed in the rat.

Substance P may attenuate gastric hyperemia by a mast cell-dependent mechanism in the damaged gastric mucosa

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) released from sensory neurons, which are closely apposed to mast cells and blood vessels, mediates gastric hyperemia in response to acid challenge of the damaged mucosa. Substance P (SP) is coreleased with CGRP from sensory neurons, but the role of this peptide in gastric blood flow regulation is largely unknown. Chambered rat stomachs were exposed to 1.5 M NaCl and acidic saline after treatment with SP, aprotinin (serine protease inhibitor), and the mast cell stabilizers ketotifen and sodium cromoglycate (SCG). Gastric hyperemia (measured with a laser Doppler flow velocimeter) after hypertonic injury and acid challenge was nearly abolished by SP. Aprotinin infused together with SP and pretreatment with ketotifen and SCG before SP restored the gastric hyperemia. Ketotifen and SCG inhibited mast cell degranulation in SP-treated rats. Preservation of gastric hyperemia was correlated with improved mucosal repair. These data suggest that impaired hyperemia by SP during acid challenge of the gastric mucosa may be mediated by a mast cell-dependent mechanism involving the release of proteases from mast cells.

Capsaicin inhibits the pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in anaesthetized rats with acute gastric fistula

The effect of capsaicin on basal and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion was investigated in the urethane anaesthetized acute gastric fistula rat. Gastric acid secretion was measured by flushing of the gastric lumen with saline every 15 min or by continuous gastric perfusion. Capsaicin given into the rat stomach at 120 ng x mL(-1) prior to pentagastrin (25 microg x kg(-1), iv) reduced gastric acid secretory response to pentagastrin by 24%. Intravenous (iv) capsaicin (0.5 microg x kg(-1)) did not reduce the pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. After topical capsaicin desensitization (3 mg x mL(-1)), basal gastric acid secretion and that in response to pentagastrin (25 microg x kg(-1), intraperitonaeally) was unaltered compared with the control group. Data indicate that topical capsaicin inhibits gastric acid secretion stimulated with pentagastrin in anaesthetized rats.

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.

Inhibition of acid-induced hyperaemia in the rat stomach by endogenous NK2 receptor ligands

Since exogenously applied tachykinins (substance P and neurokinin A) prevent the neurogenic hyperaemia which is elicited by acid back-diffusion in the rat stomach, we investigated whether endogenous tachykinins would act in a similar manner. Acid back-diffusion, induced by perfusing the stomach with 15% ethanol in the presence of 0.05 M HCI, increased gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF) by 60-100% as determined by hydrogen clearance in urethane-anaesthetized rats. This response remained unchanged after pretreatment with the tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist SR 140,333 (300 nmol/kg) but tended to be enhanced by the NK2 receptor antagonist MEN 10,627 (200 nmol/kg). When given during ongoing acid back-diffusion, MEN 10,627 significantly enhanced the acid-evoked vasodilatation as compared with vehicle or SR 140,333. We conclude that endogenously released tachykinins, acting via NK2 receptors, limit the gastric hyperaemic response to acid.

Capsaicin and the stomach. A review of experimental and clinical data

Capsaicin, the pungent principle of hot pepper, because of its ability to excite and later defunctionalize a subset of primary afferent neurons, has been extensively used as a probe to elucidate the function of these sensory neurons in a number of physiological processes. In the rat stomach, experimental data provided clear evidence that capsaicin-sensitive (CS) sensory nerves are involved in a local defense mechanism against gastric ulcer. Stimulation of CS sensory nerves with low intragastric concentrations of capsaicin protected the rat gastric mucosa against injury produced by different ulcerogenic agents. High local desensitizing concentrations of capsaicin or systemic neurotoxic doses of the agent markedly enhanced the susceptibility of the rat gastric mucosa to later noxious challenge. Resiniferatoxin, a potent analogue of capsaicin possesses an acute gastroprotective effect similar to that of capsaicin in the stomach. The gastroprotective effect of capsaicin-type agents involves an enhancement of the microcirculation effected through the release of mediator peptides from the sensory nerve terminals with calcitonin gene-related peptide being the most likely candidate implicated. They do not depend on vagal efferent or sympathetic neurons or involve prostanoids. The gastric mucosal protective effect of prostacyclin is retained after systemic or topical capsaicin desensitization. Capsaicin-sensitive fibers are involved in the repair mechanisms of the gastric mucosa. A protective role for CS sensory nerves has also been demonstrated in the colon. In most studies, capsaicin given into the stomach of rats or cats inhibited gastric acid secretion. In humans, although recent studies provide evidence in favor of a beneficial effect of capsaicin on the gastric mucosa, an exact concentration-related assessment of the effect of the agent is still lacking.

Tachykinins in the gut. Part II. Roles in neural excitation, secretion and inflammation

The preprotachykinin-A gene-derived peptides substance (substance P; SP) and neurokinin (NK) A are expressed in intrinsic enteric neurons, which supply all layers of the gut, and extrinsic primary afferent nerve fibers, which innervate primarily the arterial vascular system. The actions of tachykinins on the digestive effector systems are mediated by three different types of tachykinin receptor, termed NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptors. Within the enteric nervous system, SP and NKA are likely to mediate, or comediate, slow synaptic transmission and to modulate neuronal excitability via stimulation of NK3 and NK1 receptors. In the intestinal mucosa, tachykinins cause net secretion of fluid and electrolytes, and it appears as if SP and NKA play a messenger role in intramural secretory reflex pathways. Secretory processes in the salivary glands and pancreas are likewise influenced by tachykinins. The gastrointestinal arterial system may be dilated or constricted by tachykinins, whereas constriction and an increase in the vascular permeability are the only effects seen in the venous system. Various gastrointestinal disorders are associated with distinct changes in the tachykinin system, and there is increasing evidence that tachykinins participate in the hypersecretory, vascular and immunological disturbances associated with infection and inflammatory bowel disease. In a therapeutic perspective, it would seem conceivable that tachykinin antagonists could be exploited as antidiarrheal, antiinflammatory and antinociceptive drugs.

Co-release of substance P and neurokinin A from the Atlantic cod stomach

The function of tachykinins in the control of gastric motility in the cod, Gadus morhua, was studied using native cod substance P ([Lys1, Arg3, Ile3]SP) and cod neurokinin A ([Ile3, Asn4]NKA). Both cod SP and NKA produced contractions of the vascularly perfused cod stomach, SP being almost 6 times more potent than NKA (pD2-values 7.05 +/- 0.06 and 6.28 +/- 0.09, respectively). The release of tachykinins from the cod stomach was measured in radioimmunoassay, using specific antibodies for the two cod tachykinins. Stimulation of the stomach motility by electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve or infusion of acetylcholine increased the amounts of SP and NKA released into the vascular perfusate. The results suggest that both tachykinins are involved in the excitatory response of the cod stomach produced by vagal and cholinergic stimulation.

Tachykinins in the gut. Part I. Expression, release and motor function

The preprotachykinin-A gene-derived peptides substance P and neurokinin (NK) A are expressed in distinct neural pathways of the mammalian gut. When released from intrinsic enteric or extrinsic primary afferent neurons, tachykinins have the potential to influence both nerve and muscle by way of interaction with three different types of tachykinin receptor, termed NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptors. Most prominent among the effects of tachykinins is their excitatory action on gastrointestinal motor activity, which is seen in virtually all regions and layers of the mammalian gut. This action depends not only on a direct activation of the muscle through NK1 and/or NK2 receptors, but also on stimulation of excitatory enteric motor pathways through NK3 and/or NK1 receptors. In addition, tachykinins can inhibit motor activity by stimulating either inhibitory neuronal pathways or interrupting excitatory relays. A synopsis of the available data indicates that endogenous substance P and NKA interact with other enteric transmitters in the physiological control of gastrointestinal motor activity. Derangement of the regulatory roles of tachykinins may be a factor in the gastrointestinal dysmotility associated with infection, inflammation, stress and pain. In a therapeutic perspective, it would seem conceivable, therefore, that tachykinin agonists and antagonists are adjuncts to the treatment of motor disorders that involve pathological disturbances of the gastrointestinal tachykinin system.

Tachykinin inhibition of acid-induced gastric hyperaemia in the rat

1. Primary afferent neurones releasing the vasodilator, calcitonin gene-related peptide, mediate the gastric hyperaemic response to acid back-diffusion. The tachykinins neurokinin A (NKA) and substance P (SP) are located in the same neurones and are co-released with calcitonin gene-related peptide. In this study we investigated the effect and possible role of tachykinins in the acid-evoked gastric vasodilatation in urethane-anaesthetized rats. 2. Gastric acid back-diffusion, induced by perfusing the stomach with 15% ethanol in the presence of 0.05 M HCl, increased gastric mucosal blood flow by 60-90%, as determined by the hydrogen clearance technique. NKA and SP (0.14-3.78 nmol min-1 kg-1, infused intra-aortically) inhibited the gastric mucosal hyperaemic response to acid back-diffusion in a dose-dependent manner, an effect that was accompanied by aggravation of ethanol/acid-induced macroscopic haemorrhagic lesions. 3. The inhibitory effect of NKA (1.26 nmol min-1 kg-1) on the acid-induced gastric mucosal vasodilatation was prevented by the tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonists, MEN 10,627 (200 nmol kg-1) but left unaltered by the NK1 receptor antagonist, SR 140,333 (300 nmol kg-1) and the mast-cell stabilizer, ketotifen (4.6 mumol kg-1). 4. Under basal conditions, with 0.05 M HCl being perfused through the stomach, NKA (1.26 nmol min-1 kg-1) reduced gastric mucosal blood flow by about 25%, an effect that was abolished by SR 140,333 but not MEN 10,627 or ketotifen. 5. SR 140,333, MEN 10,627 or ketotifen had no significant effect on basal gastric mucosal blood flow nor did they modify the gastric mucosal hyperaemic reaction to acid back-diffusion. 6. The effect of NKA (1.26 nmol min-1 kg-1) in causing vasoconstriction and inhibiting the vasodilator response to acid back-diffusion was also seen when blood flow in the left gastric artery was measured with the ultrasonic transit time shift technique. 7. Arginine vasopressin (AVP, 0.1 nmol min-1 kg-1) induced gastric mucosal vasoconstriction under basal conditions but was unable to inhibit the dilator response to acid back-diffusion. 8. These data show that NKA has two fundamentally different effects on the gastric circulation. Firstly, NKA reduces gastric blood flow by activation of NK1 receptors. Secondly, NKA inhibits the gastric hyperaemic response to acid back-diffusion through an NK2 receptor-mediated mechanism. These two tachykinin effects appear to take place independently of each other since they are mediated by different receptors. This concept is further supported by the inability of AVP to mimic tachykinin inhibition of the gastric vasodilator response to acid back-diffusion.

Synaptic organization and ultrastructural features of the substance P-receptor-like immunoreactive neurons in the nucleus intermediolateralis of rats

Synaptic and ultrastructural organization in the intermediolateral nucleus (IML) of rat were investigated with electron microscopy combined with pre-embedding immunohistochemistry for substance P (SP)-receptor (SPr). SPr immunoreactivity in IML was found in the vicinity of the cellular membrane of the perikarya and dendritic profiles of the small sized neurons, ranging from 15 to 25 microns in length. A SPr-immunoreactive (SPr-ir) soma had symmetric or asymmetric synaptic contacts with three to five unlabeled axon terminals. Two different types of axon terminals made synapses on the SPr soma, one contained 20-30 nm pleomorphic vesicles and large dense cored vesicles and the other contained clear pleomorphic vesicles of 30-50 nm in size. Occasionally, SPr-ir dendrites are very closely apposed to the blood capillary. Our present results suggested the possibility that the IML SPr-ir neurons might be activated by several kinds of synaptic inputs and SP provided from blood flow.

Effect of capsaicin on release of substance P-like immunoreactivity from vascularly perfused rat duodenum

The release of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) from the rat duodenum was investigated using an in situ vascularly perfused preparation. Results show that the basal release of SPLI was measurable and significantly enhanced by the administration of both 1,3, and 10 microM of capsaicin, indicating that SPLI is present in capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerve fibers. It is concluded that the present model may be useful for the study of the control of duodenal release of SPLI.

Effect of resiniferatoxin on stimulated gastric acid secretory responses in the rat

The effect of the capsaicin analogue 'resiniferatoxin' (RTX) was studied on basal and stimulated gastric acid secretory responses following sc bethanechol (1.5 mg/kg), sc pentagastrin (50 micrograms/kg) and sc histamine (0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg) in the 1-h pylorus-ligated plus saline (2 ml ig)-treated rats. Resiniferatoxin applied intragastrically in doses of 0.6 and 1 microgram/kg at time of pylorus-ligation and administration of the above secretagogues reduced acid secretory responses to bethanechol by 18.3 and 26.4%, to 0.5 mg/kg histamine by 39.9 and 44.6%, to 2.5 mg/kg histamine by 21.3 and 40.8% and to pentagastrin by 10.2 and 30.9% respectively. A single sc injection of 0.4 microgram/kg of RTX abolished basal secretion in pylorus ligated rats (which did not receive ig saline). Our results indicate that locally applied RTX is capable of inhibiting basal secretory responses and modifying gastric acid responses stimulated with histamine, bethanechol or pentagastrin in the rat.

Effect of carbachol on luminal release of somatostatin from isolated perfused rat duodenum

The dynamic release of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) from duodenum into the lumen was studied in the isolated, vascularly perfused rat duodenum. The luminal release of duodenal SLI was stimulated by a cholinergic agonist, carbachol, and the carbachol-induced release of SLI was completely blocked by atropine, but not by hexamethonium. These data suggest that the luminal release of SLI from rat duodenum is under the control of a cholinergic muscarinic stimulation. The ratio of somatostatin-14 to somatostatin-28 in picograms was about 1 during basal release but increased to approximately 2 during carbachol stimulation.

Cholinergic stimulation of neuropeptide Y secretion from the isolated perfused rat stomach

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is present in both extrinsic sympathetic adrenergic nerve terminals and intrinsic nerves of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Based on this localization a number of functions have been attributed to GI NPY including regulation of blood flow, intestinal fluid and electrolyte transport, and motility. There is nothing currently known, however, about the regulation of its secretion from GI nerves. The effect of cholinergic agonists and antagonists on secretion of NPY immunoreactivity (NPY-IR) from the isolated perfused rat stomach was investigated in the present study. Perfusate samples were extracted and concentrated on SepPak cartridges. Basal levels of NPY-IR varied between 98 and 147 fmol/min. Release was stimulated by high potassium concentrations (50 mM) and acetylcholine (ACh; 1 microM). ACh-induced secretion was unaffected by atropine, but inhibited by hexamethonium. Further evidence for a nicotinic component in the regulation of NPY-IR secretion was obtained by the finding of hexamethonium-induced reduction in basal secretion and stimulation of secretion by 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl-piperazinium (DMPP). In conclusion, cholinergic agonists and antagonists can modulate gastric NPY-IR secretion, and the cholinergic stimulatory effects are probably mediated via nicotinic receptor stimulation at the level of the intrinsic ganglia.

Release of substance P-like immunoreactive material from the stomach of the rainbow trout

The release of substance P-like immunoreactive material (SPLI) from the vascularly perfused stomach of the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, was studied. In most cases, SPLI was detected in the collected vascular perfusate during experimental resting conditions. Distensions of the stomach, accomplished by a water-filled intragastric balloon, produced an initial rapid relaxation of the stomach, followed by a slow further relaxation and a stimulation of contractile activity. The amount of SPLI in the vascular perfusate was significantly elevated during the distension period. Tetrodotoxin had no effect on the response to distension or on the release of SPLI during distension, indicating release from tetrodotoxin-insensitive neurons or endocrine cells. The results suggest that a substance P-like peptide may be involved in the contractile response and/or in the maintenance of muscular tone during gastric distensions in the rainbow trout. Infusion of capsaicin had no effect on the release of SPLI. However, capsaicin caused an increase in vascular flow, an effect that could be repeated on a second infusion of capsaicin, indicating that the action may not be specific to sensory neurons.