title: Inhibition of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and gastroesophageal reflux by metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) is the major mechanism of gastroesophageal acid reflux. TLESR is mediated via vagal pathways, which may be modulated by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Group I mGluRs (mGluR1 and 5) have excitatory effects on neurons, whereas group II (mGluR2 and 3) and group III (mGluR4, 6, 7, and 8) are inhibitory. This study determined the effect of mGluRs on triggering of TLESR and reflux in an established conscious ferret model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Esophageal manometric/pH studies were performed in ferrets with chronic esophagostomies. TLESR were induced by a gastric load of 25 mL glucose (pH 3.5) and 30 mL air.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In control treated animals, gastric load induced 3.52 +/- 0.46 TLESRs per 47-minute study, 89.7% of which were associated with reflux episodes (n = 16). The mGluR5 antagonist MPEP inhibited TLESR dose dependently, with maximal 71% +/- 7% inhibition at 35 micromol/kg (n = 9; P < .0001). MPEP also significantly reduced reflux episodes (P < .001) and increased basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure (P < .05). MPEP inhibited swallowing dose dependently, suggesting a common action on trigger mechanisms for swallowing and TLESR. The more selective analogue, MTEP, had more potent effects (90% +/- 6% inhibition TLESR at 40 micromol/kg; n = 8; P < .0001). In contrast, the group I agonist DHPG tended to increase TLESR. The group II agonist (2R, 4R)-APDC was ineffective, whereas the group III agonist L-(AP4 slightly reduced TLESR (33% at 11 micromol/kg; P < .05). The selective mGluR8 agonist (S)-3, 4-DCPG inhibited TLESR by 54% at 15 micromol/kg (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  mGluR5 antagonists potently inhibit TLESR and reflux in ferrets, implicating mGluR5 in the mechanism of TLESR. mGluR5 antagonists are therefore promising as therapy for patients with GERD.
authors.affiliation: Nerve-Gut Research Laboratory, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Claudine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Frisby
authors.forename: Jan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mattsson
authors.forename: Jörgen M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dent
authors.forename: L Ashley
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Blackshaw
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005289:Ferrets; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008024:Ligands; D009126:Muscle Relaxation; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D064529:Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C472365:3-((2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethynyl)pyridine; D008024:Ligands; D011725:Pyridines; D064529:Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; D013844:Thiazoles; C121465:6-methyl-2-(phenylethynyl)pyridine