J Neurogastroenterol Motil.  2016 Jul;22(3):517-528. 10.5056/jnm15181.

Neurotensin Changes Propulsive Activity into a Segmental Motor Pattern in the Rat Colon

• Li H
• Chen JH
• Yang Z
• Huang M
• Yu Y
• Tan S
• Luo H
• Huizinga J

• KMID: 2327958
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5056/jnm15181

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Neurotensin is a gut-brain peptide with both inhibitory and excitatory actions on the colonic musculature; our objective was to understand the implications of this for motor patterns occurring in the intact colon of the rat.
METHODS
The effects of neurotensin with concentrations ranging from 0.1-100 nM were studied in the intact rat colon in vitro, by investigating spatio-temporal maps created from video recordings of colonic motility before and after neurotensin.
RESULTS
Low concentration of neurotensin (0.1-1 nM) inhibited propagating long distance contractions and rhythmic propagating motor complexes; in its place a slow propagating rhythmic segmental motor pattern developed. The neurotensin receptor 1 antagonist SR-48692 prevented the development of the segmental motor pattern. Higher concentrations of neurotensin (10 nM and 100 nM) were capable of restoring long distance contraction activity and inhibiting the segmental activity. The slow propagating segmental contraction showed a rhythmic contraction"”relaxation cycle at the slow wave frequency originating from the interstitial cells of Cajal associated with the myenteric plexus pacemaker. High concentrations given without prior additions of low concentrations did not evoke the segmental motor pattern. These actions occurred when neurotensin was given in the bath solution or intraluminally. The segmental motor pattern evoked by neurotensin was inhibited by the neural conduction blocker lidocaine.
CONCLUSIONS
Neurotensin (0.1-1 nM) inhibits the dominant propulsive motor patterns of the colon and a distinct motor pattern of rhythmic slow propagating segmental contractions develops. This motor pattern has the hallmarks of haustral boundary contractions.

Keyword

Absorption; Colonic motility; Neurotensin; Peristalsis; Propulsion

MeSH Terms

Absorption
Animals
Baths
Colon*
In Vitro Techniques
Interstitial Cells of Cajal
Lidocaine
Myenteric Plexus
Neural Conduction
Neurotensin*
Peristalsis
Rats*
Receptors, Neurotensin
Video Recording
Lidocaine
Neurotensin
Receptors, Neurotensin