Interstitial cells of Cajal are involved in the afferent limb of the rectoanal inhibitory reflex
Background and aims: Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) have been shown to be involved in nitrergic neurotransmission of the lower oesophageal sphincter and pylorus. Here we studied the role of ICC and nitric oxide (NO) in the inhibitory neurotransmission of the murine internal anal sphincter (IAS)....
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Published in | Gut Vol. 54; no. 8; pp. 1107 - 1113 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
London
BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Society of Gastroenterology
01.08.2005
BMJ BMJ Publishing Group LTD Copyright 2005 by Gut |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Background and aims: Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) have been shown to be involved in nitrergic neurotransmission of the lower oesophageal sphincter and pylorus. Here we studied the role of ICC and nitric oxide (NO) in the inhibitory neurotransmission of the murine internal anal sphincter (IAS). Methods: The rectoanal inhibitory reflex, rectal compliance, and relaxation of the isolated IAS to electrical stimulation were measured in controls, KIT W/KIT Wv mice, and neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) deficient mice. In addition, we evaluated the effect of blockade of nNOS using N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Distribution of nNOS positive neurones and ICC in the IAS was assessed immunohistochemically. Results: KIT positive ICC were present in a dense network in the IAS of controls but not in KIT W/KITWv mice. Relaxation of IAS muscle strips induced by electrical stimulation was diminished in nNOS−/− mice but not in KIT W/KIT Wv mice. Blockade of NOS reduced the relaxation of IAS muscle strips in both mice. Relaxation of the IAS to rectal distension was significantly diminished in KIT W/KIT Wv mice and nNOS deficient mice. In concert, in vivo blockade of NOS attenuated the relaxation of the IAS in controls. No significant difference in compliance was found. Conclusion: The inhibitory innervation of the IAS and the rectoanal inhibitory reflex are mediated by NO and the rectoanal inhibitory reflex requires an intact network of ICC in the IAS. Thus both loss of nitrergic innervation and deficiency of ICC lead to impaired anal relaxation and may play an important role in rectal evacuation disorders. |
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Bibliography: | istex:291D19304A9A4FB48FB3CA49549BCC322B7FF85B PMID:16009682 local:0541107 Correspondence to: Dr G E Boeckxstaens Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; g.e.boeckxstaens@amc.uva.nl ark:/67375/NVC-KRVBZHJQ-B href:gutjnl-54-1107.pdf ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 Correspondence to: Dr G E Boeckxstaens Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; g.e.boeckxstaens@amc.uva.nl Conflict of interest: None declared. |
ISSN: | 0017-5749 1468-3288 1458-3288 |
DOI: | 10.1136/gut.2004.051045 |