The enteric nervous system II: gastrointestinal functions.
The enteric nervous system is involved in most of the physiological and pathophysiological processes in the gastrointestinal tract. This Minireview is part two of three and describes the role of the enteric nervous system in gastrointestinal functions (motility, exocrine and endocrine secretions, blood flow, and immune processes) in health and some disease states. In this context, the functional importance of the enteric nervous system for food intake, the gall bladder, and pancreas will be addressed. In specific, dysmotility, diarrhoea, constipation, non-occlusive intestinal ischaemia (intestinal angina), inflammation, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, postcholecystectomy syndrome, and pancreatitis can be treated with neuroactive pharmacological agents. For example, serotonin receptor type four agonists can be used for the treatment of constipation, while nitric oxide synthesis inhibitors can be employed for the treatment of intestinal angina.
Hansen
Mark Berner
MB
Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery K, H:S Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark. mbh@dadlnet.dk
D000818:Animals; D004064:Digestive System / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004068:Digestive System Physiological Phenomena; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents