title: Physiopharmacology of the peristaltic reflex: an update.
abstract: The peristaltic reflex is one of the simplest models which can be used to study the function of enteric neurons by recording intestinal motor activity. Peristalsis consists of a coordinated, aborally propagating motor activity which requires the functional integrity of receptor pathways, excitatory and inhibitory neural pathways and neuromuscular junctions. Luminal distension elicits polarized responses: an ascending excitatory response (ascending contraction) and a descending inhibitory response (descending relaxation). The present paper reviews the most recent acquisitions on the neural pathways and neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of the peristaltic reflex.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Terapia Medica, Università di Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Ponti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cosentino
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lecchini
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Frigo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crema
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D010528:Peristalsis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*