title: Somatic afferent modulation of thoracic (T9-T10) spinal neurons receiving gastric mechanical input in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to determine whether somatic afferent fiber stimulation influences thoracic spinal neuronal activity responding to gastric distensions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Extracellular potentials of single T9-T10 spinal neurons were recorded in anesthetized male rats. Ipsilateral median and peroneal nerve afferent stimulation (MNAS, PNAS) was delivered by electrodes. Inflation of a latex balloon was used to produce gastric distension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MNAS and PNAS (1.5 mA, 50 Hz, 10 sec) altered activity of 63% and 66% of the spinal neurons excited or inhibited by gastric distension, respectively. MNAS more frequently reduced spinal neuronal activity with excitatory responses to gastric distension than did PNAS (p < 0.05). PNAS more likely increased neuronal activity with low-threshold excitatory responses to gastric distension than MNAS (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peripheral somatic afferent information utilizes central pathways to modulate gastric afferent processing in T9-T10 spinal neurons. Thus, somatic afferent stimulation might be used to treat gastric pain and/or hypersensitivity.
authors: Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; and             Veteran Research Foundation, VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
authors: Chao
authors: C
authors: Qin
authors: Jiande D Z
authors: JD
authors: Chen
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: Robert D
authors: RD
authors: Foreman