title: Viscerovisceral convergence of urinary bladder and colorectal inputs to lumbosacral spinal neurons in rats.
abstract: Extracellular potentials of single L6-S2 spinal neurons were recorded in pentobarbital anesthetized male rats. The urinary bladder was catheterized through the fundus and filled with warm saline for urinary bladder distension (UBD, 0.5-2.0 ml, 20 s). Colorectal distension (CRD) was produced by distending a latex balloon with air (20-80 mmHg, 20 s). Of 171 deeper neurons examined for responses to UBD and CRD, 49 (29%) neurons responded to both UBD and CRD; whereas 6/42 (14%) superficial neurons (depth < 0.3 mm) responded to both organs. Of 55 viscerovisceral convergent neurons, 25 (45%) neurons were excited by both UBD and CRD; the remainder exhibited multiple patterns of excitation and inhibition. In conclusion, responses of superficial and deeper lumbosacral spinal neurons to convergent inputs from urinary bladder and colon suggested that these neurons might contribute to the cross-talk that occurs between visceral organs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, P.O. Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73190, USA. chao-qin@ouhsc.edu
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Foreman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000294:innervation*; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012007:Rectum / Q000294:innervation*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000294:innervation*