Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in Contractile Activity in Circular Muscle of Rat Jejunum

Abstract

and uninfluenced by vagotomy (12±2). At 9 h after induction of POI, the number of Fospositive neurons was increased in the NTS to 186±6 compared to 60±4 in sham controls (p<0.05) which was not different to 74±4 neurons after vagotomy (n.s.). In the area postrema, after performing a vagotomy, the number of Fos positive cells was higher during POI at 9 h compared to sham controls (14±2 in POI vs. 2±1 in sham controls, p<0.05). Conclusions: Central nerve activation in the NTS occurs via vagal afferents 9 h after induction of POI. This suggests that vagal afferents projecting to the CNS were sensitized, potentially by inflammatory mediators released in the intestinal wall. Central activation in the area postrema may be secondary to higher permeability of the blood-brain-barrier in this area, allowing access of inflammatory mediators via the systemic circulation with subsequent neuronal activation.