title: Modulation by nitric oxide of spontaneous motility of the rat isolated duodenum: role of tachykinins.
abstract: 1. Incubation of proximal segments of the rat isolated duodenum with NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG; 3-100 microM) produced a concentration-dependent increase in both resting tone and the amplitude of the spontaneous contractions. These effects were attenuated by concurrent incubation with L-arginine (1 mM) but not D-arginine (1 mM). 2. These changes in resting tone and motility induced by L-NOARG (30 microM) were substantially reduced by concurrent incubation with tetrodotoxin (1 microM) or hexamethonium (10 microM), implicating the involvement of a local neuronal response. 3. The L-NOARG-induced increase in duodenal motility was not, however, inhibited by atropine (1 microM), guanethidine (6.4 microM) phentolamine (1 microM), or indomethacin (10 microM), indicating a non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic and non-prostanoid-mediated contractile response. 4. The NK1/NK2 tachykinin receptor antagonist, (D-Pro2, D-Trp7.9 substance P, 1-10 microM), and the NK2-receptor antagonists, MEN 10,207 and MEN 10,376 (1-5 microM), concentration-dependently reduced the effect of L-NOARG (30 microM) on spontaneous duodenal motility. 5. The resting tone and amplitude of the spontaneous contractions was likewise increased by incubation with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 100-1000 microM). However, incubation with L-NMMA (100 microM) attenuated the actions of more potent L-NOARG (30 microM) on resting motility. 6. Administration of E.coli endotoxin (3 mg kg-1, i.v.) to the rat 5 h prior to tissue removal, at a time of known induction of NO synthase, reduced the amplitude of spontaneous contractions of the isolated duodenum, an effect inhibited by pretreatment of the rats with dexamethasone (1 mg kg-1) 2 h prior to endotoxin challenge. 7. These findings indicate a role of endogenous NO in the modulation of spontaneous tone and motility in the rat duodenum. Induction of NO synthase may result in a reduction in spontaneous motility of the tissue. By contrast, inhibition of constitutive NO biosynthesis unmasks a contractile response that is neuronally mediated and involves tachykinin NK2 receptors.
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Foundation Ltd., Glaxo-Wellcome, Beckenham, Kent.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martinez-Cuesta
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Esplugues
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Whittle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004386:Duodenum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D064729:Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019335:Nitroarginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018041:Receptors, Neurokinin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015320:Tachykinins / Q000502:physiology*; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D064729:Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists; D018041:Receptors, Neurokinin-2; D015320:Tachykinins; D019335:Nitroarginine; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase