Secretion of neurotensin from isolated perfused porcine ileum

Dietary Protein Level Influences on Neurotensin-immunoreactive Cells in the Chicken Ileum

Neurotensin is secreted from intestinal N cells in response to the food ingestion. Influences of different dietary protein levels on neurotensin-immunoreactive cells in the chicken ileum were examined by using immunohistochemical and morphometrical techniques. The results showed that dietary protein had an obvious influence on neurotensin-immunoreactive cells in the chicken ileum. Four experimental groups were used, with dietary crude protein (CP) levels of 18% (control), 9%, 4.5% and 0%. Enteroendocrine cells showing neurotensin-immunoreactivity were located in crypts and villous epithelium in all groups. Most of the neurotensin-immunoreactive cells in the villous epithelium showed pyramidal or spindle-like shape with a long cytoplasmic process reaching the intestinal lumen, but cells with round or oval shape were found in the CP4.5% and 0% groups. Frequencies of occurrence of neurotensin-immunoreactive cells in the CP18%, 9%, 4.5% and 0% groups were 42.4±3.3, 36.6±2.2, 30.8±2.6 and 25.4±3.8 (cell count per mucosal area: cells/mm², mean±SD), respectively. There were significant differences in neurotensin-immunoreactive cell frequency between the control and lower CP level, 4.5% and 0%, groups. A significant correlation was found between frequency of occurrence of neurotensin-immunoreactive cells and daily protein intake. These results indicate that ingested protein is likely to be a potential signal for neurotensin production and secretion of N cells in the chicken ileum.

Role of gastrointestinal hormones in the proliferation of normal and neoplastic tissues

Gastrointestinal (GI) hormones are chemical messengers that regulate the physiological functions of the intestine and pancreas, including secretion, motility, absorption, and digestion. In addition to these well-defined physiological effects, GI hormones can stimulate proliferation of the nonneoplastic intestinal mucosa and pancreas. Furthermore, in an analogous fashion to breast and prostate cancer, certain GI cancers possess receptors for GI hormones; growth can be altered by administration of these hormones or by blocking their respective receptors. The GI hormones that affect proliferation, either stimulatory or inhibitory, include gastrin, cholecystokinin, gastrin-releasing peptide, neurotensin, peptide YY, glucagon-like peptide-2, and somatostatin. The effects of these peptides on normal and neoplastic GI tissues will be described. Also, future perspectives and potential therapeutic implications will be discussed.

Chicken liver contains a large quantity of a G-protein-linked neurotensin receptor

Using 125I-labeled neurotensin (NT), chicken liver was found to contain high affinity, G-protein-linked receptors directed specifically towards the bioactive C-terminal portion of NT. Binding was proportional to membrane and optimal at pH 7.5. The apparent Kd (approximately 91 pM) for this single class of binding sites was similar to Kds reported for the high-affinity components of NT binding to mammalian brain and intestinal membranes. However, the binding capacity (Bmax, approximately 2.3 pmol/mg) was 10-100 times higher than values reported for these mammalian tissues. Binding was inhibited by GTP analogues and by treatment with pertussis toxin but not by cholera toxin. Treatments with alkaline solutions, shown to inactivate G-proteins, decreased subsequent binding at pH 7.5. Whereas low concentrations of Mg2+ (optimum, approximately 0.5 mM) enhanced NT binding, concentrations of 5 mM and above were inhibitory. Cross-linking of 125I-labeled NT to liver membranes using glutaraldehyde specifically labeled two substances of approximately 52 and approximately 90 kDa, which could represent different binding proteins or complexes. These data demonstrate the presence in chicken liver of large amounts of high-affinity NT receptor(s) coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein(s).

Functional coupling between the active transport of glucose and the secretion of intestinal neurotensin in rats

1. In this study, the mechanisms involved in the release of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity (NTLI) by glucose were investigated with the isolated, vascularly perfused rat jejunoileum preparation. 2. Luminal infusion of glucose (1-250 mM) produced a sharp and sustained release of NTLI in the intestinal venous effluent. The first significant response was observed with 5 mM glucose and the release reached a maximum under 250 mM glucose with a plateau secretion at 500% of basal. 3. There was no significant difference in the ability of galactose and 3-O-methylglucose to release NTLI when compared to glucose, but alpha-methylglucose, mannose, 2-deoxyglucose and fructose did not stimulate NTLI release. 4. Luminal infusion of 5 mM phloridzin reduced the glucose-induced release of NTLI by 90%. Intra-arterial infusion of glucose (25 mM) or of phloretin (20 microM) had no significant effect on the glucose-evoked NTLI secretion. 5. Intra-arterial infusion of ouabain (1 mM) produced a dramatic increase (at about 1500% of basal) in portal NTLI although it drastically reduced intestinal absorption of glucose. 6. Intra-arterial infusion of tetrodotoxin (1 microM), atropine (10 microM), verapamil (50 microM) or nifedipine (50 microM) did not modify the glucose-induced NTLI secretion. 7. Intra-arterial infusion of forskolin (2-20 microM) evoked a prompt and well-sustained secretion of NTLI which was increased to a mean value of 800% of basal with the highest dose tested. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, 10-100 microM) also stimulated the secretion of NTLI (maximal increase at 725% of basal at 100 microM). In contrast, intra-arterial infusion of 4-beta-phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA, 0.05-0.5 microM) had no effect on NTLI release. 8. IBMX (10-100 microM) synergistically enhanced NTLI responses induced by 250 mM glucose; the integrated response of NTLI release was 3- to 5-fold higher than the sum of individual responses produced by the same stimulants given separately. 9. It is concluded that the carbohydrate-induced NTLI release is related to the active, sodium-dependent hexose transport, but not to the carbohydrate catabolic pathway. Furthermore, the intramural nerves and L-type calcium channels are not involved in the glucose-induced NTLI secretion. Finally, the secretory activity of the intestinal N cell seems to be mainly stimulated through a cAMP-dependent pathway.

Release of ileal neurotensin in the rat by neurotransmitters and neuropeptides

To investigate the functional relationship between the enteric nervous system and the intestinal neurotensin (N) cells, the release of neurotensin (NT) was measured upon vascular 8-min infusion periods of various neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in an isolated vascularly perfused rat jejunoileum. NT-like immunoreactivity (NT-LI) was measured with an antiserum that specifically recognizes intact NT. The cholinergic agonists methacholine and carbachol produced a strong release of NT-LI (250% and 700% of basal, respectively at 10(-5) M). The infusion of a lower dose (10(-7) M) was less effective in both cases. The nicotinic receptor agonist DMPP (10(-4) M) had no significant effect on NT-LI release. Norepinephrine (10(-6) M) produced a moderate and well-sustained secretion of NT (200% of basal). Infusion of higher doses of these neurotransmitters dramatically increased the arterial pressure. G-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA), histamine, serotonin and dopamine administered at final concentrations up to 10(-5) M had no effect on NT-LI release. In contrast, gastrin-releasing peptide and bombesin induced a dose-dependent transient increase of portal NT-LI (maximal value at 10(-7) M: 1000% of basal) followed by a rapid return to near basal values. Substance P (10(-7) M) evoked a prompt release of NT-LI with a peak at 600% of basal followed by a decline to 200% of basal at the end of the session. Leu-enkephalin and calcitonin-gene-related-peptide (CGRP, 10(-7) M) produced a small rise in portal NT-LI, while Met-enkephalin, dynorphin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), galanin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), neuromedin U and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) had no stimulatory effect. Our results indicate that additionally to the secretion of NT induced by cholinergic agents and bombesin, substance P and to a lesser extent Leu-enkephalin are capable of stimulating NT release in the rat.

Inhibition of gastric acid secretion by jejunal glucose and its relation to osmolality and glucose load

Intrajejunal infusion of hypertonic glucose and hypertonic saline inhibits pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in man. This effect is generally ascribed to the hyperosmolality of the solutions. Five volunteers were given 50 g glucose in osmolar concentrations of 2700 mosmol/l and 900 mosmol/l, and five were given 25 g glucose in osmolar concentrations of 2700 mosmol/l and 300 mosmol/l. Control studies with intrajejunal infusion of physiologic saline were performed in all subjects. Median inhibition of gastric acid secretion was 91% after 50 g glucose and 47% after 25 g glucose and was unrelated to the osmolar concentration. These findings suggest that the acid-inhibitory effect of intrajejunally administered glucose is related to the glucose load and not to the osmolar concentration. Plasma responses of intact neurotensin, immunoreactivity, NH2-terminal neurotensin immunoreactivity, enteroglucagon, and gastric inhibitory polypeptide were all related to the amount of glucose given. Glucagon and somatostatin, both of which are potent inhibitors of gastric secretion, were not released by intrajejunally administered glucose.

Neurotensin binding sites in porcine jejunum: biochemical characterization and intramural localization

Neurotensin is present in high concentrations in the mammalian gut, especially in enteroendocrine cells of the mucosa. Exogenous neurotensin has been shown to alter ion transport by the mucosa and contractile activity of intestinal smooth muscle. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of neurotensin binding sites within the intestinal wall. Initially, biochemical characteristics of [125I]neurotensin binding sites were determined within two preparations of the distal porcine jejunum: (1) the mucosa and submucosa, and (2) the circular and longitudinal muscle with their intramural plexuses. Ligand binding data for the preparation including the mucosa and submucosa indicated that [125I]neurotensin bound specifically to two sites having apparent equilibrium dissociation constants of approximately 0.046 and 0.37 nM. A binding site with a dissociation constant of approximately 0.38 nM was confirmed for the preparation of muscle and associated intramural plexuses. Xenopsin and neurotensin were equipotent to neurotensin in competing for these binding sites; neuromedin N was approximately 40 times less potent in the preparation of mucosa and submucosa. Receptor autoradiography was used to determine the distribution of [125I]neurotensin binding sites within the wall of the jejunum. Autoradiograms of [125I]neurotensin bound to cross sections of the proximal and distal jejunum showed that the highest densities of silver grains were associated with the internal submucosal ganglia, external submucosal plexus and myenteric ganglia. A moderate density of silver grains was associated with the circular muscle. The localization of neurotensin binding sites to submucosal ganglia is consistent with observations that neurotensin effects on active anion secretion by the mucosa are blocked by tetrodotoxin. Immunohistochemical localization of neurotensin in the porcine jejunum demonstrated a limited population of neurotensin immunoreactive cells within the mucosal epithelium. It is possible that neurotensin released from these cells in the mucosa as well as neurotensin-related peptides released from enteric neurons may be the endogenous ligands for the binding sites visualized in this study.

Identification of the neurotransmitter/neuromodulator functions of the neuropeptide gastrin-releasing peptide in the porcine antrum, using the antagonist (Leu13-psi-CH2 NH-Leu14)-bombesin

We studied the effects of a new bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor antagonist, Leu13-psi-(CH2NH)-Leu14-bombesin, on the secretion of gastrin and somatostatin and on the motor activity of isolated perfused porcine antrum in response to infusions of GRP at 10(-10) or 10(-9) mol/l and in response to electric stimulation of the vagus nerves. GRP significantly increased the secretion of gastrin and somatostatin and increased the frequency of antral contractions threefold. At 0.5 x 10(-6) mol/l the antagonist completely abolished the effects on motality and gastrin secretion and strongly inhibited the effect on somatostatin secretion. Vagus stimulation significantly increased gastrin and somatostatin secretion and increased the contraction frequency threefold. The antagonist strongly inhibited the somatostatin response, abolished the motility effects and reversed the stimulatory effect on gastrin secretion to a significant inhibition. Assuming that the antagonist interacts specifically with GRP receptors, we conclude that our data strongly support the concept that GRP-producing nerves are essential for vagally induced secretion of gastrin and somatostatin from the antrum. The GRP nerves may also play a role in the control of gastric motor activity.