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Although many studies have demonstrated the physiological action of motilin on the migrating motor complex, the precise mechanisms remain obscure. To obtain new insights into the mechanisms, we focused on the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus, suncus used as a laboratory name) as a small model animal for in vivo motilin study, and we studied the physiological characteristics of suncus gastrointestinal motility. Strain gauge transducers were implanted on the serosa of the gastric body and duodenum, and we recorded gastrointestinal contractions in the free-moving conscious suncus and also examined the effects of intravenous infusion of various agents on gastrointestinal motility. During the fasted state, the suncus stomach and duodenum showed clear migrating phase HI contractions (intervals of 80-150 min) as found in humans and dogs. Motilin (bolus injection, 100-300 ng/kg; continuous infusion, 10-100 ng x [kg.sup.-1] x [min.sup.-1]) and erythromycin (80 [micro]g x [kg.sup.-1] x [min.sup.-1]) induced gastric phase III contractions, and motilin injection also increased the gastric motility index in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05, vs. saline). Pretreatment with atropine completely abolished the motilin-induced gastric phase III contractions. On the other hand, in the free-feeding condition, the suncus showed a relatively long fasting period in the light phase followed by spontaneous gastric phase III contractions. The results suggest that the suncus has almost the same gastrointestinal motility and motilin response as those found in humans and dogs, and we propose the suncus as a new small model animal for studying gastrointestinal motility and motilin in vivo. suncus; migrating motor complex; motilin; ghrelin; gastric motility doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00278.2010.

Accumulation of continuous life stress (chronic stress) often causes gastric symptoms. Although central oxytocin has antistress effects, the role of central oxytocin in stress-induced gastric dysmotility remains unknown. Solid gastric emptying was measured in rats receiving acute restraint stress, 5 consecutive days of repeated restraint stress (chronic homotypic stress), and 7 consecutive days of varying types of stress (chronic heterotypic stress). Oxytocin and oxytocin receptor antagonist were administered intracerebroventricularly (icv). Expression of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) mRNA and oxytocin mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. The changes of oxytocinergic neurons in the PVN were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Acute stress delayed gastric emptying, and the delayed gastric emptying was completely restored after 5 consecutive days of chronic homotypic stress. In contrast, delayed gastric emptying persisted following chronic heterotypic stress. The restored gastric emptying following chronic homotypic stress was antagonized by icv injection of an oxytocin antagonist. Icv injection of oxytocin restored delayed gastric emptying induced by chronic heterotypic stress. CRF mRNA expression, which was significantly increased in response to acute stress and chronic heterotypic stress, returned to the basal levels following chronic homotypic stress. In contrast, oxytocin mRNA expression was significantly increased following chronic homotypic stress. The number of oxytocin-immunoreactive cells was increased following chronic homotypic stress at the magnocellular part of the PVN. Icy injection of oxytocin reduced CRF mRNA expression induced by acute stress and chronic heterotypic stress. It is suggested that the adaptation mechanism to chronic stress may involve the upregulation of oxytocin expression in the hypothalamus, which in turn attenuates CRF expression. chronic homotypic stress; chronic heterotypic stress; corticotropin-releasing factor; hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis; paraventricular nucleus doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00483.2009.

Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 298: R157-R165, 2010. First published November 4, 2009; doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00328.2009.--Accumulation of continuous life stress (chronic stress) often causes gastric symptoms. The development of gastric symptoms may depend on how humans adapt to the stressful events in their daily lives. Although acute stress delays gastric emptying and alters upper gastrointestinal motility in rodents, the effects of chronic stress on gastric motility and its adaptation mechanism remains unclear. Central oxytocin has been shown to have antistress effects. We studied whether central oxytocin is involved in mediating the adaptation mechanism following chronic repeated stress. Mice were loaded with acute and chronic stress (repeated stress for five consecutive days), and solid gastric emptying and postprandial gastric motility were compared between acute and chronic repeated stress. Expression of oxytocin and CRF mRNA in the hypothalamus was studied following acute and chronic repeated stress. Delayed gastric emptying during acute stress (43.1 [+ or -] 7.8%; n = 6, P < 0.05) was completely restored to normal levels (72.1 [+ or -] 2.4%; n = 6) following chronic repeated stress. Impaired gastric motility induced by acute stress was also restored following chronic repeated stress. Intracerebroventricular injection of oxytocin (0.1 and 0.5 [micro]g) restored the impaired gastric emptying and motility induced by acute stress. The restored gastric emptying and motility following chronic repeated stress were antagonized by intracerehroventricular injection of oxytocin antagonists. Oxytocin mRNA expression in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus was significantly increased following chronic repeated stress. In contrast, increased CRF mRNA expression in the SON and PVN in response to acute stress was significantly reduced following chronic repeated stress. Our study suggests the novel finding that the upregulation of central oxytocin expression is involved in mediating the adaptation mechanism following chronic repeated stress in mice. key words; acute stress; chronic stress; corticotropin-releasing factor; hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis

In our daily life, individuals encounter with various types of stress. Accumulation of daily life stress (chronic stress) often causes gastrointestinal symptoms and functional gastrointestinal diseases. Although some can adapt toward chronic stress, the adaptation mechanism against chronic stress remains unknown. Although acute stress delays gastric emptying and alters upper gastrointestinal motility, effects of chronic stress on gastric motility still remain unclear. We investigated the effects of acute (single stress) and chronic (repeated stress for 5 consecutive days) stress on solid gastric emptying and interdigestive gastroduodenal contractions in rats. It is well established that acute restraint stress inhibits solid gastric emptying via central corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). To investigate whether the sensitivity to CRF is altered following chronic stress, CRF was administered intracisternally. Ghrelin is involved in regulating gastric emptying and upper gastrointestinal motility in rodents. The changes in plasma active ghrelin levels and mRNA expression in the stomach were studied following chronic stress. To evaluate the effects of chronic stress on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, plasma corticosterone levels were also measured. Delayed gastric emptying observed in acute stress was completely restored following chronic stress. Acute stress abolished gastric phase III-like contractions, without affecting duodenal phase III-like contractions in the interdigestive state. Impaired gastric phase III-like contractions were also restored following chronic stress. Plasma ghrelin levels and ghrelin mRNA expression were increased significantly after chronic stress. Intracisternal injection of CRF delayed gastric emptying and impaired gastric motility in rats who received chronic stress. Plasma corticosterone concentrations were no more elevated following chronic stress. The restored gastric emptying following chronic stress was antagonized by the administration of ghrelin receptor antagonists. The adaptation mechanism may involve upregulation of ghrelin expression and attenuation of the HPA axis. In contrast, the sensitivity to central CRF remained unaltered following chronic stress in rats. adaptation; corticotropin releasing factor; growth hormone secretagogue receptor; hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis; migrating motor complex

Endogenous ghrelin causes interdigestive contractions of the stomach in rats. In contrast, previous studies showed that 5-HT3 and 5-H[T.sub.4] receptors were involved in regulating intestinal interdigestive contractions. We studied the possible role of endogenous ghrelin and 5-HT regulating interdigestive gastrointestinal (GI) contractions in rats. Four strain gauge transducers were implanted on the antrum, duodenum, and proximal and distal jejunum. After an overnight fast, GI contractions were recorded in freely moving conscious rats and ghrelin receptor antagonists [(D-lys3)GHRP6; 1 [micro]mol/kg], 5-H[T.sub.3] antagonists (Ondansetron; 0.5 mg/kg) and 5-HT4 antagonists (GR 125,487; 1 mg/kg) were administered (bolus iv). To evaluate the relationship between the luminal concentrations of 5-HT and phase III-like contractions of the duodenum, duodenal juice was collected via the intraduodenal catheter. 5-HT content of the duodenal juice was measured by HPLC. (D-Iys3)GHRP6 significantly attenuated the occurrence and amplitude of phase III-like contractions of the antrum, but not the duodenum and jejunum. 5-HT4 antagonists significantly reduced spontaneous phase III-like contractions of the jejunum, without affecting those of the antrum and duodenum. In contrast, 5-H[T.sub.3] antagonists did not affect phase III-like contractions in GI tract. Luminal concentration of 5-HT at the phase III-like contraction (36.0 [+ or -] 13.3 ng/ml, n = 9) was significantly higher than that at the phase I-like contractions of the duodenum (4.9 [+ or -] 1.6 ng/ml, n = 9, P < 0.05). It is suggested that released ghrelin from the gastric mucosa mediates gastric phase III-like contractions, whereas 5-HT released from enterochromaffin cells of the duodenal mucosa mediates intestinal phase III-like contractions via 5-H[T.sub.4] receptors. 5-H[T.sub.3] receptors; 5-H[T.sub.4] receptors; enterochromaffin cells

During the early stages of diabetes, gastric emptying is often accelerated, rather than delayed. The mechanism of accelerated gastric emptying in diabetes has not been fully studied. A recent study showed that plasma ghrelin levels were elevated in diabetes. As postprandial antropyloric coordination plays an important role in mediating solid gastric emptying, we hypothesize that the elevated plasma ghrelin levels increase postprandial antropyloric coordination to accelerate emptying in the early stages of diabetes. To test this hypothesis, rats were made diabetic by streptozotocin (STZ; 50 mg/kg) injection, and, 2 wk later, pre- and postprandial plasma ghrelin levels, antropyloric coordination, and solid gastric emptying were determined. In control rats, plasma ghrelin levels were immediately reduced after feeding. In contrast, plasma ghrelin levels remained within the fasted levels in STZ rats after feeding. In STZ rats, gastric emptying was significantly accelerated (77.4 [+ or -] 3.2%, n = 6), compared with that of control rats (58.8 [+ or -] 2.5%, n = 6, P < 0.05). Treatments with anti-ghrelin antibodies attenuated accelerated gastric emptying in STZ rats (50.1 [+ or -] 3.5%, n = 6, P < 0.05), while having little effect in vehicle control rats. The incidence of postprandial antropyloric coordination was significantly increased in STZ rats, compared with that of control rats (P < 0.05). Treatments with anti-ghrelin antibodies suppressed this enhanced antropyloric coordination in STZ rats. Our study suggests that elevated endogenous ghrelin enhances antropyloric coordination, which accelerates gastric emptying in the early stages of diabetes. streptozotocin; antropyloric coordination

Endogenous ghrelin regulates the occurrence of interdigestive gastric phase III-like contractions in rats. However, the fasted motor pattern is not as regular and potent in humans and dogs. We hypothesize that eating habits play an important role in maintaining a regular interdigestive gastric contractions. We studied the effect of fixed-feeding regimen on interdigestive gastric contractions and plasma acyl ghrelin levels. The fixed-fed rats were trained to the assigned meal feeding regimen, once daily at 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM for 14 days. Free-fed rats were maintained with free access to food. As ghrelin regulates gastric emptying as well, solid gastric emptying was also studied in fixed-fed rats and free-fed rats. In free-fed rats, two of six rats did not show interdigestive gastric phase III-like contractions. In contrast, phase III-like contractions were observed in all rats 14 days after starting the fixed-feeding regimen. The maximal amplitude of phase III-like contractions significantly increased from 8.4 [+ or -] 0.6 to 16.3 [+ or -] 1.8 g (n = 6, P < 0.05) 14 days after the start of the fixed feeding. Fasted and postprandial plasma ghrelin levels were significantly increased after 14 days of fixed feeding. Solid gastric emptying was significantly accelerated in fixed-fed rats (72.1 [+ or -] 4.2%) compared with that of free-fed rats (58.7 [+ or -] 2.7%, n = 6, P < 0.05). Our present findings suggest that fixed feeding increases plasma ghrelin levels, potent interdigestive contractions, and acceleration of gastric emptying. migrating motor complex; ghrelin; scheduled feeding

Enterochromaffin (EC) cells of the epithelial cells release 5-HT into the lumen, as well as basolateral border. However, the physiological role of released 5-HT into the lumen is poorly understood. Concentrations of 5-HT in the colonic mucosa, colonic lumen, and feces were measured by HPLC in rats. To investigate whether intraluminal 5-HT accelerates colonic transit, 5-HT and [sup.51]Cr were administered into the lumen of the proximal colon, and colonic transit was measured. To investigate whether 5-HT is released into the lumen, we used an ex vivo model of isolated vascularly and luminally perfused rat proximal colon. To investigate whether luminal 5-HT is involved in regulating stress-induced colonic motility, the distal colonic motility was recorded under the stress loading, and a [5-HT.sub.3] receptor antagonist (ondansetron, [10.sup.-6] M, 0.5 ml) was administered intraluminally of the distal colon. Tissue content of 5-HT in the proximal colon (15.2 [+ or -] 4.3 ng/mg wet tissue) was significantly higher than that in the distal colon (3.3 [+ or -] 0.7 ng/mg wet tissue), while fecal content and luminal concentration of 5-HT was almost the same between the proximal and distal colon. Luminal administration of 5-HT ([10.sup.-6]-[10.sup.-5] M) significantly accelerated colonic transit. Elevation of intraluminal pressure by 10 cm[H.sub.2]O significantly increased the luminal concentration of 5-HT but not the vascular concentration of 5-HT. Stress-induced stimulation of the distal colonic motility was significantly attenuated by the luminal administration of ondansetron. These results suggest that luminally released 5-HT from EC cells plays an important role in regulating colonic motility in rats. enterochromaffin cells; distal colon; luminal pressure; restraint stress doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00856.2006

Although restraint stress accelerates colonic transit via a central corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), the precise mechanism still remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that restraint stress and central CRF stimulate colonic motility and transit via a vagal pathway and 5-H[T.sub.3] receptors of the proximal colon in rats. [sup.51]Cr was injected via the catheter positioned in the proximal colon to measure colonic transit. The rats were subjected to a restraint stress for 90 rain or received intracisternal injection of CRF. Ninety minutes after the administration of [sup.51]Cr, the entire colon was removed, and the geometric center (GC) was calculated. Four force transducers were sutured on the proximal, mid, and distal colon to record colonic motility. Restraint stress accelerated colonic transit (GC of 6.7 [+ or -] 0.4, n = 6) compared with nonrestraint controls (GC of 5.1 [+ or -] 0.2, n = 6). Intracisternal injection of CRF (1.0 [micro]g) also accelerated colonic transit (GC of 7.0 [+ or -] 0.2, n = 6) compared with saline-injected group (GC of 4.6 [+ or -] 0.5, n = 6). Restraint stress-induced acceleration of colonic transit was reduced by perivagal capsaicin treatment. Intracisternal injection of CRF antagonists (10 [mirco]g astressin) abolished restraint stress-induced acceleration of colonic transit. Stimulated colonic transit and motility induced by restraint stress and CRF were significantly reduced by the intraluminal administration of 5-H[T.sub.3] antagonist ondansetron (5 x [10.sup.-6]M; 1 ml) into the proximal colon. Restraint stress and intracisternal injection of CRF significantly increased the luminal content of 5-HT of the proximal colon. It is suggested that restraint stress stimulates colonic motility via central CRF and peripheral 5-H[T.sub.3] receptors in conscious rats. ondansetron; vagal afferent; pelvic nerves; enteric nervous system

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) is one of the most important factors in the mechanism of stress-induced stimulation of colonic motility. However, it is controversial whether stress-induced stimulation of colonic motility is mediated via central or peripheral CRF receptors. We investigated the hypothesis that peripherally injected CRF accelerates colonic motility through the central CRF receptor, but not the peripheral CRF receptor. A strain gauge transducer was sutured on the serosal surface of the proximal colon. Colonic motility was monitored before and after the peripheral injection of CRF. An in vitro muscle strip study was also performed to investigate the peripheral effects of CRF. Subcutaneous injection of CRF (30-100 [micro]g/kg) stimulated colonic motility in a dose-dependent manner. The stimulatory effect of peripherally administered CRF on colonic motility was abolished by truncal vagotomy, hexamethonium, atropine, and intracisternal injection of astressin (a CRF receptor antagonist). No responses to CRF ([10.sup.-9] - [10.sup.-7] M) of the muscle strips of the proximal colon were observed. These results suggest that the stimulatory effect of colonic motility in response to peripheral administration of CRF is mediated by the vagus nerve, nicotinic receptors, muscarinic receptors, and CRF receptors of the brain stem. It is concluded that peripherally administered CRF reaches the area postrema and activates the dorsal nucleus of vagi via central CRF receptors, resulting in stimulation of the vagal efferent and cholinergic transmission of the proximal colon. vagal efferent

Central corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays an important role in mediating restraint stress-induced delayed gastric emptying. However, it is unclear how restraint stress modulates gastric motility to delay gastric emptying. Inasmuch as solid gastric emptying is regulated via antropyloric coordination, we hypothesized that restraint stress impairs antropyloric coordination, resulting in delayed solid gastric emptying in conscious rats. Two strain gauge transducers were sutured onto the serosal surface of the antrum and pylorus, and postprandial gastric motility was monitored before, during, and after restraint stress. Antropyloric coordination, defined as a propagated single contraction from the antrum to the pylorus within 10 s, was followed by [greater than or equal to] 20 s of quiescence. Restraint stress enhanced postprandial gastric motility in the antrum and pylorus to 140 [+ or -] 9% and 134 [+ or -] 9% of basal, respectively (n = 6). The number of episodes of antropyloric coordination before restraint stress, 2.4 [+ or -] 0.4/10 min, was significantly reduced to 0.6 [+ or -] 0.3/10 min by restraint stress. Intracisternal injection of the CRF type 2 receptor antagonist astressin 2B (60 [micro]g) or guanethidine partially restored restraint stress-induced impairment of antropyloric coordination (1.6 [+ or -] 0.3/10 min, n = 6). The restraint stress-induced augmentation of antral and pyloric contractions was increased by astressin 2B and guanethidine but abolished by atropine, hexamethonium, and vagotomy. Restraint stress enhanced postprandial gastric motility via a vagal cholinergic pathway. Restraint stress-induced delay of solid gastric emptying is due to impairment of antropyloric coordination. Restraint stress-induced impairment of antropyloric coordination might be mediated via a central CRF pathway. corticotropin-releasing factor; restraint stress

Acupuncture is useful for functional bowel diseases, such as constipation and diarrhea. However, the mechanisms of beneficial effects of acupuncture on colonic function have scarcely ever been investigated. We tested the hypothesis that electroacupuncture (EA) at ST-36 stimulates colonic motility and transit via a parasympathetic pathway in conscious rats. Hook-shaped needles were inserted at bilateral ST-36 (lower limb) or BL-21 (back) and electrically stimulated at 10 Hz for 20 min. We also studied c-Fos expression in response to EA at ST-36 in Barrington's nucleus of the pons. EA at ST-36, but not BL-21, significantly increased the amplitude of motility at the distal colon. The calculated motility index of the distal colon increased to132 [+ or -] 9.9% of basal levels (n = 14, P < 0.05). In contrast, EA at ST-36 had no stimulatory effects in the proximal colon. EA at ST-36 significantly accelerated colonic transit [geometric center (GC) = 6.76 [+ or -] 0.42, n = 9, P < 0.001] compared with EA at BL-21 (GC = 5.23 [+ or -] 0.39, n = 7). The stimulatory effect of EA at ST-36 on colonic motility and transit was abolished by pretreatment with atropine. EA-induced acceleration of colonic transit was also abolished by extrinsic nerve denervation of the distal colon (GC = 4.69 [+ or -] 0.33, n = 6). The number of c-Fos-immunopositive cells at Barrington's nucleus significantly increased in response to EA at ST-36 to 8.1 [+ or -] 1.1 cells/section compared with that of controls (2.4 [+ or -] 0.5 cells/section, n = 3, P < 0.01). It is concluded that EA at ST-36 stimulates distal colonic motility and accelerates colonic transit via a sacral parasympathetic efferent pathway (pelvic nerve). Barrington's nucleus plays an important role in mediating EA-induced distal colonic motility in conscious rats. Barrington's nucleus; c-Fos; pelvic nerve

Although acupuncture has a significant clinical benefit, the mechanism of acupuncture remains unclear. Vasopressin, a posterior pituitary hormone, is involved in nausea and vomiting in humans and dogs. To investigate the antiemetic effects of acupuncture on vasopressin-induced emesis, gastroduodenal motor activity and the frequency of retching and vomiting were simultaneously recorded in conscious dogs. In seven dogs, four force transducers were implanted on the serosal surfaces of the gastric body, antrum, pylorus, and duodenum. Gastroduodenal motility was continuously monitored throughout the experiment. Vasopressin was intravenously infused at a dose of 0.1 U x [kg.sup.-1] x [min.sup.-1] for 20 min. Electroacupuncture (EA, 1-30 Hz) at pericardium-6 (PC6), bladder-21 (BL21), or stomach-36 (ST36) was performed before, during, and after the vasopressin infusion. To investigate whether the opioid pathway is involved in EA-induced antiemetic effects, naloxone (a central and peripheral opioid receptor antagonist) or naloxone methiodide (a peripheral opioid receptor antagonist) was administered before, during, and after EA and vasopressin infusion. Intravenous infusion of vasopressin induced retching and vomiting in all dogs tested. Retrograde peristaltic contractions occurred before the onset of retching and vomiting. EA (10 Hz) at PC6 significantly reduced the number of episodes of retching and vomiting. EA at PC6 also suppressed retrograde peristaltic contractions. In contrast, EA at BL21 or ST36 had no anti-emetic effects. The antiemetic effect of EA was abolished by pretreatmerit with naloxone but not naloxone methiodide. It is suggested that the antiemetic effect of acupuncture is mediated via the central opioid pathway. chemoreceptor trigger zone; electroacupuncture; naloxone; retrograde peristaltic contractions; vomiting center

Central corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) delays gastric emptying through the autonomic nervous system. CRF plays an important role in mediating delayed gastric emptying induced by stress. However, it is not clear whether a sympathetic or parasympathetic pathway is involved in the mechanism of central CRF-induced inhibition of solid gastric emptying. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether 1) CRF inhibits solid gastric emptying via a peripheral sympathetic pathway and 2) stress-induced inhibition of solid gastric emptying is mediated via a central CRF and peripheral sympathetic pathways. Using male Sprague-Dawley rats, CRF was injected intracisternally with or without various adrenergic-blocking agents. To investigate whether central CRF-induced inhibition of solid gastric emptying is mediated via a peripheral sympathetic pathway, rats underwent celiac ganglionectomy 1 wk before the gastric emptying study. After solid meal ingestion (90 min), gastric emptying was calculated. To investigate the role of endogenous CRF in stress-induced delayed gastric emptying, a CRF [type.sub.2] receptor antagonist, [astressin.sub.2]-B, was intracisternally administered. Rats were subjected to a restraint stress immediately after the feeding. Intracisternal injection of CRF (0.1-1.0 [micro]g) dose-dependently inhibited solid gastric emptying. The inhibitory effect of CRF on solid gastric emptying was significantly blocked by guanethidine, propranolol, and celiac ganglionectomy but not by phentolamine. Restraint stress significantly delayed solid gastric emptying, which was improved by [astressin.sub.2]-B, guanethidine, and celiac ganglionectomy. Our research suggests that restraint stress inhibits solid gastric emptying via a central CRF [type.sub.2] receptor and peripheral sympathetic neural pathway in rats. blood-brain barrier; guanethidine; celiac ganglionectomy; corticotropin-releasing factor

The effects of manual acupuncture on gastric motility were investigated in 35 conscious rats implanted with a strain gauge transducer. Twenty (57.1%) rats showed no cyclic groupings of strong contractions (type A), whereas 15 (42.9%) rats showed the phase III-like contractions of the migrating motor complex (type B) in the fasting gastric motility. Acupuncture at the stomach (ST)-36 (Zusanli), but not on the back [Weishu, bladder (BL)-21], increased the peak amplitude of contractions to 172.4 [+ or -] 25.6% of basal in the type A rats (n = 20, P < 0.05). On the other hand, the motility index for 60 min after the acupuncture was not affected by the acupuncture in this group. On the contrary, acupuncture decreased the peak amplitude and motility index to 72.9 [+ or -] 14.0% and 73.6 [+ or -] 16.2% in the type B rats (n = 15, P < 0.05), respectively. The stimulatory and inhibitory effects of acupuncture observed in each type were reproducible on the separate days. In 70% of type A rats, acupuncture induced strong phase III-like contractions lasting for over 3 h that were abolished by atropine, hexamethonium, atropine methyl bromide, and vagotomy. Naloxone significantly shortened the duration of the stimulatory effects from 3.52 [+or-] 0.21 to 1.02 [+ or -] 0.15 h (n = 3, P < 0.05). These results suggest that acupuncture at ST-36 induces dual effects, either stimulatory or inhibitory, on gastric motility. The stimulatory effects are mediated in part via vagal efferent and opioid pathways. vagal nerve; migrating motor complex; stomach-36; opioid

We studied whether physiological concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) affects colonic transit and colonic motility in conscious rats. Intraluminal administration of SCFAs (100-200 mM) into the proximal colon significantly accelerated colonic transit. The stimulatory effect of SCFAs on colonic transit was abolished by perivagal capsaicin treatment, atropine, hexamethonium, and vagotomy, but not by guanethidine. The stimulatory effect of SCFAs on colonic transit was also abolished by intraluminal pretreatment with lidocaine and a 5-hydroxytryptamine [(HT).sub.3] receptor antagonist. Intraluminal administration of SCFAs provoked contractions at the proximal colon, which migrated to the mid- and distal colon. SCFAs caused a significant increase in the luminal concentration of 5-HT of the vascularly isolated and luminally perfused rat colon ex vivo. It is suggested that the release of 5-HT from enterochromaffin cells in response to SCFAs stimulates 5-H[T.sub.3] receptors located on the vagal sensory fibers. The sensory information is transferred to the vagal efferent and stimulates the release of acetylcholine from the colonic myenteric plexus, resulting in muscle contraction. 5-[hydroxytryptamine.sub.3] receptor; migrating contractions; vagovagal reflex

The effect of the nitric oxide biosynthesis inhibitor N(super G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on colonic transit in conscious rats was studied. Colonic transit was determined computing the geometric center of the distribution of radiochromium instilled into the proximal colon. Findings showed that nitric oxide improves transit in the rat colon by mediating descending relaxation, which in turn, facilitates propulsion of colonic contents.

The mechanisms responsible for diabetic gastroparesis were investigated using the diabetic BB/W rat model. In vitro experiments wherein different stimuli were applied to gastric muscle were performed to identify the nature of abnormalities associated with diabetes. Measurement of muscle contractions and biochemical studies showed that the abnormalities were associated with an impaired intracellular signal transduction system in gastric myocytes, resulting in abnormalities in the production of inositol triphosphate and protein kinase C translocation.