Norepinephrine mediates the transcriptional effects of heterotypic chronic stress on colonic motor function.
Chronic stress precipitates or exacerbates the symptoms of functional bowel disorders, including motility dysfunction. The cellular mechanisms of these effects are not understood. We tested the hypothesis that heterotypic chronic stress (HeCS) elevates the release of norepinephrine from the adrenal medulla, which enhances transcription of the gene-regulating expression of Ca(v)1.2 (L-type) channels in colonic circular smooth muscle cells, resulting in enhanced colonic motor function. The experiments were performed in rats using a 9-day heterotypic chronic stress (HeCS) protocol. We found that HeCS, but not acute stress, time dependently enhances the contractile response to ACh in colonic circular smooth muscle strips and in single dissociated smooth muscle cells, the plasma levels of norepinephrine and the mRNA and protein expressions of the alpha(1C) subunit of Ca(v)1.2 channels. These effects result in faster colonic transit and increase in defecation rate. The effects of HeCS are blocked by adrenalectomy but not by depletion of norepinephrine in sympathetic neurons. The inhibition of receptors for glucocortocoids, corticotropin-releasing hormone or nicotine also does not block the effects of heterotypic chronic stress. Norepinephrine acts on alpha- and beta(3)-adrenergic receptors to induce the transcription of alpha(1C) subunit. We conclude that HeCS alters colonic motor function by elevating the plasma levels of norepinephrine. Colonic motor dysfunction is associated with enhanced gene transcription of Ca(v)1.2 channels in circular smooth muscle cells. These findings suggest the potential cellular mechanisms by which heterotypic chronic stress may exacerbate motility dysfunction in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Div. of Gastroenterology, Dept. of Internal Medicine, The Univ. of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 8-104 Medical Research Bldg., Galveston, TX 77555-1083, USA.
Barun K
BK
Choudhury
Xuan-Zheng
XZ
Shi
Sushil K
SK
Sarna
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D018674:Adrenergic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
D018674:Adrenergic Antagonists; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; C419385:L-type calcium channel alpha(1C); D011189:Potassium Chloride; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D000109:Acetylcholine; D003345:Corticosterone; D009638:Norepinephrine