Rat Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle Research Articles

Age-related deterioration of contractile activity of actomyosin complex in rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle

Age-related deterioration of contractile activity of actomyosin complex in rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle

Expression and function of the Scn5a-encoded voltage-gated sodium channel NaV 1.5 in the rat jejunum.

The SCN5A-encoded voltage-gated sodium channel NaV 1.5 is expressed in human jejunum and colon. Mutations in NaV 1.5 are associated with gastrointestinal motility disorders. The rat gastrointestinal tract expresses voltage-gated sodium channels, but their molecular identity and role in rat gastrointestinal electrophysiology are unknown. The presence and distribution of Scn5a-encoded NaV 1.5 was examined by PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry in rat jejunum. Freshly dissociated smooth muscle cells were examined by whole cell electrophysiology. Zinc finger nuclease was used to target Scn5a in rats. Lentiviral-mediated transduction with shRNA was used to target Scn5a in rat jejunum smooth muscle organotypic cultures. Organotypic cultures were examined by sharp electrode electrophysiology and RT-PCR. We found NaV 1.5 in rat jejunum and colon smooth muscle by Western blot. Immunohistochemistry using two other antibodies of different portions of NaV 1.5 revealed the presence of the ion channel in rat jejunum. Whole cell voltage-clamp in dissociated smooth muscle cells from rat jejunum showed fast activating and inactivating voltage-dependent inward current that was eliminated by Na(+) replacement by NMDG(+) . Constitutive rat Scn5a knockout resulted in death in utero. NaV 1.5 shRNA delivered by lentivirus into rat jejunum smooth muscle organotypic culture resulted in 57% loss of Scn5a mRNA and several significant changes in slow waves, namely 40% decrease in peak amplitude, 30% decrease in half-width, and 7 mV hyperpolarization of the membrane potential at peak amplitude. Scn5a-encoded NaV 1.5 is expressed in rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle and it contributes to smooth muscle electrophysiology.

Resveratrol and genistein inhibition of rat isolated gastrointestinal contractions and related mechanisms.

To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of resveratrol and genistein on contractile responses of rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Isolated strips of gastrointestinal smooth muscle from Spraque-Dawley rats were suspended in organ baths containing Kreb's solution, and the contractility of smooth muscles was measured before and after incubation with resveratrol and genistein, and the related mechanisms were studied by co-incubation with various inhibitors. Resveratrol and genistein dose-dependently decreased the resting tension, and also reduced the mean contractile amplitude of gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Estrogen receptor blockades (ICI 182780 and tamoxifen) failed to alter the inhibitory effects induced by resveratrol and genistein. However, their effects were attenuated by inhibitions of α-adrenergic receptor (phentolamine), nitric oxide synthase (levorotatory-NG-nitroarginine), ATP-sensitive potassium channels (glibenclamide), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (SQ22536). In high K(+)/Ca(2+)-free Kreb's solution containing 0.01 mmol/L egtazic acid, resveratrol and genistein reduced the contractile responses of CaCl2, and shifted its cumulative concentration-response curves rightward. Resveratrol and genistein relax gastrointestinal smooth muscle via α-adrenergic receptors, nitric oxide and cyclic adenosine monophosphate pathways, ATP-sensitive potassium channels, and inhibition of L-type Ca(2+) channels.

The effects of Weichangshu tablet on intracellular Ca2+ concentration in cultured rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells

The objective of this study was to explore the effects of Weichangshu tablets on free Ca²⁺ concentration of the gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells of rats and the molecular mechanism of the Weichangshu tablets. Cultured SD rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells were divided into control group, Cisapride group, Weichangshu group, and control + ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA) group, Cisapride + EGTA group, and Weichangshu + EGTA group. Laser scanning microscope and spectrophotometer detection were applied to detect the calcium concentration. The calcium concentrations in Weichangshu group and Cisapride group significantly increased vs. control, and those in Weichangshu group were higher than those in Cisapride group. Ca²⁺ concentration in Weichangshu + EGTA group, Cisapride + EGTA group vs. control + EGTA group were not significantly different. Weichangshu could increase gastrointestinal smooth muscle free Ca²⁺ concentration, and this role may be achieved through the promotion of cells within the flow of calcium ions.

Ascaridole-less infusions of Chenopodium ambrosioides contain a nematocide(s) that is(are) not toxic to mammalian smooth muscle

Infusions of Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.) have been used for centuries in the Americas as a popular remedy against intestinal worm infections. The essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides contains high levels of ascaridole, which is a potent anthelmintic, but which has also been responsible for human fatalities, leading to its disuse. Almost 90% of the nematocidal activity of Chenopodium ambrosioides infusions was due to a hydrophilic component different from ascaridole. Synthetic ascaridole and the ascaridole from infusions, extracted into hexane, caused a reduction of carbachol-induced contractions in rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle at concentrations required to kill Caenorhabditis elegans (L.). The herbal infusion and the ascaridole-free hexane-extracted aqueous residue of the above infusion, at nematocidal concentractions, had no detectable effect on smooth muscle contraction in the above system. It would appear that the traditional form of useage of Chenopodium ambrosioides infusions as a vermifuge is safer than the use of the herb’s essential oil.

Ascaridole-less infusions of Chenopodium ambrosioides contain a nematocide(s) that is(are) not toxic to mammalian smooth muscle

Infusions of Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.) have been used for centuries in the Americas as a popular remedy against intestinal worm infections. The essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides contains high levels of ascaridole, which is a potent anthelmintic, but which has also been responsible for human fatalities, leading to its disuse. Almost 90% of the nematocidal activity of Chenopodium ambrosioides infusions was due to a hydrophilic component different from ascaridole. Synthetic ascaridole and the ascaridole from infusions, extracted into hexane, caused a reduction of carbachol-induced contractions in rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle at concentrations required to kill Caenorhabditis elegans (L.). The herbal infusion and the ascaridole-free hexane-extracted aqueous residue of the above infusion, at nematocidal concentractions, had no detectable effect on smooth muscle contraction in the above system. It would appear that the traditional form of useage of Chenopodium ambrosioides infusions as a vermifuge is safer than the use of the herb’s essential oil.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide relaxes rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a new member of the secretin/glucagon peptides family, being most homologous to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The present study was designed to investigate a possible effect of PACAP on the rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle in vitro. We demonstrated that 1) PACAP reduced basal smooth-muscle contractions in all portions of the gastrointestinal tract, but the effect of VIP was region-specific. The inhibitory effect of PACAP in midcolon was approximately 100 times greater than that of VIP. 2) PACAP significantly inhibited smooth-muscle contractions induced by acetylcholine or carbachol. The inhibitory effect of PACAP was not affected by hexamethonium and was additive to the inhibitory effect of atropine and pirenzepine. 3) PACAP inhibited smooth-muscle contractions induced by substance P, cholecystokinin, and galanin, even after atropine treatment. Although the exact mechanism of the inhibitory action of PACAP remains to be clarified, PACAP appears to exert its effect in the rat at a site other than muscarinic receptors, probably through a direct effect on gastrointestinal smooth muscle in vitro.

Relaxation of rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle by parathyroid hormone.

In this study we investigated whether parathyroid hormone (PTH) can produce relaxation of gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscle as it has been reported to do for vascular and uterine smooth muscle. Muscle tissue preparations from rat stomach, duodenum, ileum, or colon were mounted in a 37 degrees C tissue bath and perfused with oxygenated medium. Changes in isometric tension were recorded with a force-displacement transducer connected to a polygraph. Decreases in either resting tension or agonist-induced tension (0.5-1.0 microM acetylcholine or carbachol) were observed within 1-2 min of PTH addition and were reversible upon removal of the peptide. All GI regions tested were responsive to PTH. Synthetic rPTH-(1-34) (0.1-100 nM) produced a dose-dependent relaxation of both fundic (ED50 = 5.2 nM) and colonic (ED50 = 2.5 nM) muscle strips. At 100 nM, a 90% decrease in fundic tension and a 70% decrease in colonic tension were seen. At 100 nM, bPTH-(1-34), but not bPTH-(7-34) or rat calcitonin gene-related peptide, also was effective in relaxing fundic or colonic muscle. Similarly, in the fundic muscle, 500 nM bPTH-(3-34) alone was ineffective, but it inhibited the effect of 5 nM rPTH-(1-34) when both peptides were tested in combination. Likewise, 100 nM bPTH-(3-34) also inhibited the relaxation induced by 5, 10, or 100 nM bPTH-(1-34). The results show PTH to be highly effective in nanomolar concentrations in causing relaxation of GI smooth muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)