Endogenous nitric oxide release modulates the direction and frequency of colonic migrating motor complexes in the isolated mouse colon

• Published in: Neurogastroenterology and motility 2001-06, Vol.13 (3), p.221-228
• Main Authors: Powell, A. K., Bywater, R. A. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; apamin; Apamin - pharmacology; Arginine - pharmacology; colon; Colon - innervation; Colon - physiology; colonic migrating motor complex; Electrophysiology; Enteric Nervous System - cytology; Enteric Nervous System - physiology; Enzyme Inhibitors - pharmacology; Gastrointestinal Motility - drug effects; Gastrointestinal Motility - physiology; In Vitro Techniques; Mice; Mice, Mutant Strains; Motor Neurons - physiology; mouse; nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase - metabolism; Nitroarginine - pharmacology
• ISSN: 1350-1925; 1365-2982
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2982.2001.00260.x

Spontaneous colonic migrating motor complexes (CMMCs) were recorded from circular muscle at three sites along the isolated mouse colon. The interval between CMMCs was decreased from ∼3 min in control solution, by ∼55% in a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N‐nitro‐L‐arginine (L‐NNA; 100 μmol L–1). This was associated with a shift in migration direction of CMMCs, such that CMMCs migrated in an oral direction. Application of the endogenous substrate for NOS, L‐arginine, at a low concentration used to mimic plasma concentration (134 μmol L–1), or a high concentration (5 mmol L–1) suppressed CMMCs (for at least 15 min) which were replaced by high frequency (10–15 min–1), short duration (half width ∼1.5 s) contractions of variable amplitudes (largest in the proximal region) until CMMCs resumed. CMMCs remained in the presence of D‐arginine (134 μmol L–1 and 5 mmol L–1). Apamin (250 nmol L–1) did not alter the interval between CMMCs, however, additional nonmigrating contractions were observed between the CMMCs in the distal region. In addition to its effects on smooth muscle tone, NO, but not apamin‐sensitive channels, plays an important role in suppressing the frequency of migrating contractions in the isolated mouse colon. Consideration should be given to the inclusion of L‐arginine, in in vitro experiments where there may be spontaneous activity in NOS containing neurones.