Gastric secretions affected by esophageal distention in the rat.
BACKGROUND
The effect of esophageal distention (ED) on gastric motility has been well documented, but only a few investigations have been carried out about the effect of ED on gastric secretions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ED on gastric acid and pepsin secretions and the mechanisms involved.


METHODS
Male adult Wistar rats (200-240 g) were anesthetized by urethane [1.2 g/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)] and underwent tracheostomy and laparotomy. A catheter was inserted in the stomach through the duodenum for gastric washout and distention followed by the esophageal distention by a balloon (0.3 ml, 10 min). Gastric acid secretion was stimulated by gastric distension (1.5 ml/100 g body weight), pentagastrin (20 microg/kg, i.p.), or insulin (0.6 IU/kg, i.p.). Pepsin secretion was stimulated by carbachol (20 microg/kg, i.p.). Effects of cervical vagotomy and reserpine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) were also investigated.


RESULTS
Gastric distention-, pentagastrin-, and insulin-stimulated gastric acid secretion was reduced by esophageal distention (P < 0.001, P < 0.05, and P < 0.05, respectively). Carbachol-induced pepsin secretion was also attenuated by esophageal distention (P < 0.05). Cervical vagotomy abolished the inhibitory effect of ED on pentagastrin-induced gastric acid secretion. In reserpinized rats, ED reduced the basal gastric acid secretion (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that the vagus nerves are involved in the inhibitory effect of esophageal distension on gastric secretory function.
Mard
Seyyed Ali
SA
Department of Physiology and Physiology Research Center, School of Medicine, Ahwaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz 61335-189, Iran.
Gharib Naseri
Mohammad Kazem
MK
Badavi
Mohammad
M
D000818:Animals; D002217:Carbachol; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D013271:Gastric Dilatation; D007328:Insulin; D008297:Male; D010418:Pentagastrin; D010434:Pepsin A / Q000378:metabolism; D010528:Peristalsis / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*
D007328:Insulin; D002217:Carbachol; D010434:Pepsin A; D010418:Pentagastrin