Vagally mediated inhibition of acoustic stress-induced cortisol release by orally administered kappa-opioid substances in dogs.

The effects of oral vs. iv administration of kappa- and mu-opioid agonists on plasma cortisol release induced by acoustic stress (AS) were evaluated in fasted dogs with an implanted jugular catheter. AS was induced by 1 h of music (less than or equal to 86 decibels) played through earphones and was accompanied by a 382% maximal rise in plasma cortisol after 15-30 min. Administered orally 30 min before the AS session, both U-50488 (0.1 mg/kg) and PD 117-302 (0.05 mg/kg) significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) decreased (by 71.2% and 80.9%, respectively) the maximal increase in plasma cortisol induced by AS, while bremazocine, morphine, as well as iv administration of U-50488 at similar doses were ineffective. The effects of U-50488 and PD 117-302 orally administered (0.1 mg/kg) on the hypercortisolemia induced by AS were abolished by pretreatment with iv naloxone (0.1 mg/kg) or MR 2266 (0.1 mg/kg). Naloxone given alone significantly (P less than 0.01) increased basal plasma cortisol, without affecting cortisol increase induced by AS. Vagotomy abolished the effects of orally administered U-50488 on the AS-induced increase in plasma cortisol. Neither U-50488 nor PD 117302 (0.1 mg/kg, orally) reduced the increase in plasma cortisol induced by intracerebroventricular administration of ovine CRF (100 ng/kg). It is concluded that kappa- but not mu-opioid agonists are able to inhibit the stimulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis induced by AS by acting selectively on peripheral kappa-receptors located in the wall of the proximal gut. This action is neurally mediated through afferent vagal fibers affecting central nervous system release of CRF induced by a centrally acting stressor.

Neuropeptide Y and sigma ligand (JO 1784) act through a Gi protein to block the psychological stress and corticotropin-releasing factor-induced colonic motor activation in rats.

The effects of neuropeptide Y and sigma ligands (d-NANM and JO 1784) on corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and psychological stress-stimulated caecal and colonic motility were evaluated by electromyography in rats equipped with chronically implanted electrodes on the caecum and proximal colon and a small catheter into the right lateral ventricle of the brain. Exposure to a psychological stress for 30 min increased significantly (P less than 0.05) the frequency of caecal and colonic spike bursts, an effect which was mimicked by intracerebroventricular administration of CRF (300 ng/kg). Injected intracerebroventricularly, 30 min prior to the psychological stress or intracerebroventricular administration of CRF, neuropeptide Y (150 ng/kg) abolished the excitatory effect on caeco-colonic motility. Similarly, prior administration of d-NANM (100 ng/kg) and JO 1784 (50 ng/kg) abolished the caeco-colonic hypermotility induced by psychological stress and intracerebroventricular injection of CRF. Four days after intracerebroventricular administration of pertussis toxin (150 ng/kg), both neuropeptide Y and JO 1784, when administered centrally, were unable to antagonize the stress-induced hyperkinesia. It is concluded that central administration of neuropeptide Y and sigma ligands abolish the stimulatory effects of psychological stress on caeco-colonic motility by blocking the pathways by which CRF activates the motility, through a common mechanism involving a pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi protein.

Central neuropeptide Y and the sigma ligand, JO 1784, reverse corticotropin-releasing factor-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion in rats.

1. The central interactions between the sigma ligand, JO 1784, [(+)-N-cyclopropylmethyl-N-methyl-1,4-diphenyl-1-ethylbut-3- en-1-ylamine hydrochloride], or neuropeptide Y (NPY) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion were investigated in rats anaesthetized with urethane. Drugs were injected intracisternally (i.c.) or into specific hypothalamic nuclei. Gastric acid secretion was measured by the flushed technique under basal and pentagastrin (10 micrograms kg-1 h-1, i.v.) stimulated conditions. 2. Intracisternal injection of CRF (10 micrograms), bombesin (0.1 microgram) and human recombinant interleukin-1 beta (hIL-1 beta, 0.1 microgram) inhibited gastric acid response to pentagastrin by 72%, 56% and 62%, respectively. NPY (0.5 microgram) or JO 1784 (0.5 microgram) injected i.c. did not alter acid secretion but completely prevented the inhibitory effect of CRF. The antagonistic effect of NPY and JO 1784 against CRF was dose-related (0.01-0.5 microgram) and peptide-specific since NPY and JO 1784 did not alter the antisecretory action of bombesin or hIL-1 beta. 3. The putative sigma receptor antagonist, BMY 14802, (1 mg kg-1, s.c.) did not influence pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion nor CRF-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion; however, BMY 14802 administered s.c. 20 min before JO 1784 or NPY, abolished the antagonistic effect of both JO 1784 and NPY. 4. CRF (3 micrograms) microinjected into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the lateral hypothalamus (LH) inhibited pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion by 61% and 51%; NPY (0.03 micrograms) or JO 1784 (0.03 micrograms) microinjected into the PVN had no effect by themselves but blocked CRF antisecretory action.There were more VPBs (220 +/- 75), a higher incidence of VT (60%) and more episodes of VT (11.5 +/- 6.0 compared to 0.7 +/- 0.3 episodes in the preconditioned dogs not given L-NAME); none of the animals survived reperfusion (incidence of VF 100%). The improvement in the severity of the degree of inhomogeneity which resulted from preconditioning was abolished by L-NAME administration.5. L-NAME itself elevated blood pressure (from 96 +/- 5 mmHg diastolic to 119 +/- 7 mmHg), reduced heart rate (from 155 +/- 7 to 144 +/- 4 beats min-') but did not change LVEDP, LVdP/dt,,,,, coronary blood flow, ST-segment elevation or the degree of inhomogeneity of conduction. When given 10 min before the prolonged coronary artery occlusion in dogs not subjected to preconditioning, L-NAME had no significant effect on the severity of arrhythmias except for more periods of VT (a mean of 11.7 +/- 4.7 episodes per dog).6. It is concluded from these studies that the generation of nitric oxide contributes to the marked antiarrhythmic effects of preconditioning in the canine myocardium, probably through elevation of cyclic GMP.

Reversal by NPY, PYY and 3-36 molecular forms of NPY and PYY of intracisternal CRF-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion in rats.

1. The Y receptor subtype involved in the antagonism by neuropeptide Y (NPY) of intracisternal corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion was studied in urethane-anaesthetized rats by use of peptides with various selectivity for Y1, Y2 and Y3 subtypes: NPY, a Y1, Y2 and Y3 agonist, peptide YY (PYY), a Y1 and Y2 agonist, [Leu31, Pro34]-NPY, a Y1 and Y3 agonist, NPY(3-36) and PYY(3-36), highly selective Y2 agonists and NPY(13-36) a weak Y2 and Y3 agonist. Peptides were injected intracisternally 10 min before intracisternal injection of CRF (10 micrograms) and gastric acid secretion was measured by the flushed technique for 1 h before and 2 h after pentagastrin-(10 micrograms kg-1 h-1, i.v.) infusion which started 10 min after CRF injection. 2. Intracisternal injection of CRF (10 micrograms) inhibited by 56% gastric acid secretion stimulated by pentagastrin. Intracisternal injection of NPY and PYY (0.1-0.5 microgram) did not influence the acid response to pentagastrin but blocked CRF-induced inhibition of pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion. NPY(3-36) (0.5 microgram) and PYY(3-36) (0.25 and 0.5 microgram) also completely blocked the inhibitory action of CRF on pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion. 3. [Leu31, Pro34]-NPY (0.5-5 micrograms) and NPY(13-36) (0.5-5 micrograms) injected intracisternally did not modify gastric acid secretion induced by pentagastrin or CRF inhibitory action. 4. The sigma antagonist, BMY 14802 (1 mg kg-1, s.c.) did not influence the acid response to pentagastrin but prevented the antagonism by PYY(3-36) (0.5 microgram) of the CRF antisecretory effect. 5. These results show that both PYY and NPY and the 3-36 forms of PYY and NPY are equipotent in blocking central CRF-induced inhibition of pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. The structure-activity profile suggests a mediation through Y2 receptor subtype and the involvement of sigma binding sites.

Reversal of CRF- and dopamine-induced stimulation of colonic motility by CCK and igmesine (JO 1784) in the rat.

1. The role of dopamine in the genesis of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)- and emotional stress (ES)-induced stimulation of colonic motility, as well as the mechanism of antagonistic action of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8s) and igmesine (alpha sigma receptor ligand, formerly JO 1784) on dopamine-induced colonic hypermotility, have been investigated in the rat. 2. ES and i.c.v. injection of CRF (0.5 microgram kg-1) increased the frequency of colonic spike bursts by 63% and 114%, respectively. Prior i.c.v. administration of (+)-SCH 23390 (a D1 receptor antagonist, 10 micrograms kg-1) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the CRF- and ES-induced increase in colonic spike burst; whereas, sulpiride (a D2 receptor antagonist, 10 micrograms kg-1) blocked the CRF-induced stimulation of colonic spike bursts but had no effect on the colonic response to stress. 3. I.c.v. injection of dopamine (100 micrograms kg-1), increased colonic spike burst frequency by 54%. (+)-SKF 38393 (5 micrograms kg-1), a selective D1 receptor agonist, and quinpirole (5 micrograms kg-1), a selective D2 receptor agonist, increased colonic spike burst frequency by 71% and 70% respectively. CCK-8s (0.1 microgram kg-1) and igmesine (0.1 microgram kg-1) injected i.c.v. completely prevented the stimulatory effects of dopamine, (+)-SKF 38393 and quinpirole. 4. Previous i.c.v. injection of devazepide, a CCKA receptor antagonist, (10 micrograms kg-1) antagonized the inhibitory effects of both CCK-8s and igmesine injected i.c.v. on dopamine-induced colonic hyperkinesia. 5. These results show that CRF stimulates colonic motility through activation of central dopaminergic mechanisms in response to stress; furthermore, CCK-8s inhibits dopamine-induced colonic hyperkinesia through a mechanism involving D1 and D2 receptors. The sigma receptor ligand igmesine, blocks the CRF and ES-induced colonic hyperactivity via an interaction with central CCK mechanisms.

Brain CCKA receptors mediate the colonic motor response to feeding in dogs.

The influence of central vs. peripheral administration of specific type A and type B CCK receptor antagonists (L364,718 and L365,260, respectively) on colonic motor hyperactivity induced by feeding and CCK8 was investigated in dogs with strain-gauge transducers implanted on the proximal and transverse colon. Intravenous injection of L364,718 (5 and 10 micrograms/kg) reduced by 26.2% and 80.1%, respectively, the 0-4-h postprandial increase in colonic motor index; at similar doses L365,260 had no effect. Intracerebroventricular administration of L364,718, at a dose (1 microgram/kg) not active by the IV route, significantly reduced (p less than 0.01) by 67.5% the feeding-induced colonic hyperactivity. In contrast, L365,260 (1-10 micrograms/kg ICV) injected was inactive. Increase in colonic motility produced by intravenous CCK8 infusion (1 microgram/kg/h) was suppressed by previous ICV and IV administration of L364,718 at doses of 1 and 10 micrograms/kg, respectively, while L365,260 was inactive at similar doses. It is concluded that CCK8 released after a meal is responsible for the postprandial increase in colonic motility and that these effects may be mediated through activation of central CCKA receptors.

Stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity to rectal distension in rats: role of CRF and mast cells.

BACKGROUND: Psychological factors have long been implicated in the aetiology of irritable bowel syndrome often associated with abdominal pain. This work was designed to study, in rats, the influence of partial restraint stress on the abdominal cramps induced by rectal distension and to determine the role of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and mast cells degranulation in this response. METHODS: Abdominal contractions were electromyographically recorded. Thirty minutes after stress or intracerebroventricular CRF, rectal distension was performed by inflation of a balloon (0.4-1.2 mL). alpha-helical CRF9-41 or doxantrazole were administered centrally (15 min) and intraperitoneally (30 min), respectively, before stress. Histamine release and the number of mast cells were determined in colonic pieces from stressed and control rats. RESULTS: Stress and CRF enhanced the number of abdominal cramps evoked by rectal distension without affecting rectal compliance. alpha-helical CRF9-41 and doxantrazole antagonized the stress and CRF-induced enhancement of abdominal cramps. Stress increased the colonic histamine content whereas the number of colonic mast cells was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Stress enhances abdominal contractions in response to rectal distension in rats via pathways involving central CRF and intestinal mast cells.

Evidence for the involvement of corticotropin-releasing factor in the gastrointestinal disturbances induced by acoustic and cold stress in mice.

The influence of acoustic (AS) and cold (CS) stress on gastric emptying and intestinal transit were evaluated in mice using a radiolabelled 51chromium test meal. AS was produced by playing music through loudspeakers (less than 86 dB) in a confined box at room temperature (20 degrees C) and CS was obtained by exposure to 10 degrees C. Twenty minutes exposure to AS or CS caused a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in gastric emptying in mice. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of 150 ng of rat corticotropin-releasing factor (rCRF), 30 min before the test meal, also increased gastric emptying but neither intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of rCRF at the same dosage nor corticosterone (300 ng) and ACTH (375 microU) were able to induce significant changes in gastric emptying. The increase in gastric emptying induced by AS and CS and by i.c.v. injection of rCRF were blocked by previous i.p. administration of an antiserum against rCRF. These findings strongly support the hypothesis that alterations in gastric emptying induced by AS and CS in mice are due to the release of CRF acting directly on central structures involved in the control of gastrointestinal motility.

Stimulation of kappa opiate receptors in intestinal wall affects stress-induced increase of plasma cortisol in dogs.

In dogs, an acoustic stress (A.S.) produced by hearing of intense music (less than or equal to 90 dB) through earpieces for 1 h induced a 520% maximal rise in plasma cortisol 15-30 min after the beginning of stress. Oral administration of the specific kappa agonists, U-50488 (0.1 mg/kg) and PD 117302 (0.05 mg/kg), 30 min before the A.S. session reduced significantly (P less than 0.01) by 71.2% and 80.9% the maximal increase of plasma cortisol but did not affect the increase observed after intracerebroventricular administration of ovineCRF (100 ng/kg). These effects which are not reproduced by intravenous administration of the drugs at similar doses, were blocked by previous treatment with MR 2266 (0.1 mg/kg) or local anesthesia and vagotomy, suggesting that kappa opioid agonists inhibit the stress-induced activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system by acting selectively on specific receptors located in the wall of the proximal gut.

Cholecystokinin blockade of emotional stress- and CRF-induced colonic motor alterations in rats: role of the amygdala.

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and emotional stress (ES) induce stimulation of colonic motility in rats, an effect blocked by i.c.v. injection of CCK-8s. This study examined in rats the contribution of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CA) in the blocking effect of CCK-8s on ES and CRF-induced colonic hypermotility. CRF (500 ng/kg, i.c.v.) induced a 73.5% increase in colonic spike burst frequency. Bilateral infusions of 1, 5, 10 and 20 ng/kg of CCK-8s in the CA region 10 min prior to CRF i.c.v. injection reduced, in a dose related manner, the CRF-induced stimulation of colonic motility. A 109% increase in colonic spike burst frequency was observed in rats placed in a test cage in which they had previously received electric footshocks (ES). CCK-8s and A-71623, a selective CCK-A receptor agonist, (10, 25 and 50 ng/kg) infused bilaterally into the CA, 30 min before ES, significantly reduced this stimulatory effect, while CCK-4 and A-63387, a selective CCK-B receptor agonist (10, 25 and 50 ng/kg), had no effect on such a response. CA lesions by ibotenic acid did not affect ES-induced increase in colonic spike activity. However, CCK-8s (50 ng/kg) microinfused into CA lesioned rats was unable to block the ES-induced stimulation of colonic motility, while CCK-8s i.c.v. injected (100 ng/kg) is still active on the colonic response to ES. These results suggest that CA is a site of interaction of CCK-8s with CRF to block the colonic response to stress and that these effects involve the CCK-A receptor subtype.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Diazepam and muscimol blockade of the gastrointestinal motor disturbances induced by acoustic stress in dogs.

The influence of various drugs on the gastric motor inhibition induced by acoustic stress (AS) was investigated in fasted dogs fitted with strain-gauge transducers implanted on the antrum and proximal jejunum at 10 and 80 cm from the pylorus respectively. Started 40-50 min after the last gastric migrating motor complex (MMC), a 1 h acoustic stress delayed by 75% the occurrence of the next gastric but not jejunal MMC and was associated with a 4-fold increase in plasma cortisol. This AS-induced inhibition of the gastric MMC cycle was abolished after previous administration of diazepam (0.2 and 0.5 mg/kg i.m.) or muscimol (10 micrograms/kg i.v.) and partially reduced by a lower dose of diazepam (0.1 mg/kg i.m.); in contrast, it was still present after either naloxone (0.1 mg/kg i.m.), phentolamine (0.2 mg/kg i.v.) or propranolol (0.1 mg/kg i.v.) treatment. This selective benzodiazepine or GABA agonist blockade of noise-induced gastric motor alteration supports the hypothesis that release of CRF may be responsible for the gastrointestinal motor effects induced by acoustic stress.

Peripheral antagonistic action of trimebutine and kappa opioid substances on acoustic stress-induced gastric motor inhibition in dogs.

The effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.), intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration of trimebutine on the gastric motor inhibition induced by acoustic stress were investigated in fasted dogs fitted with strain-gauge transducers on the antrum and proximal jejunum. Started 40-50 min after the last migrating motor complex, a 1 h acoustic stress delayed by 111% the occurrence of the next gastric migrating motor complex without affecting the jejunal motor pattern. This inhibition of gastric migrating motor complex induced by acoustic stress was abolished by previous p.o. administration of trimebutine (1 mg/kg) but not by its i.v. (0.1 mg/kg) or i.c.v. (0.01 mg/kg) injection. The trimebutine blockade of gastric motor alterations induced by acoustic stress was suppressed after previous i.v. treatment with MR 2266 (0.3 mg/kg) but was unaffected by naloxone (0.3 mg/kg). Furthermore oral administration of U-50488H (10 micrograms/kg) and ethylketocyclazocine (10 micrograms/kg) respectively abolished and reduced the acoustic stress-induced delay of the occurrence of the gastric migrating motor complex. We concluded that trimebutine is able to antagonize the gastric motor disturbances induced in dogs by acoustic stress, probably by acting selectively on peripheral kappa receptors located in the wall of the proximal gut and directly stimulated from a mucosal site.

Comparative involvement of 5-HT1, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors in stress-induced colonic motor alterations in rats.

The role of 5-HT1, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors in the genesis of colonic motor alterations induced by emotional stress was evaluated in rats equipped with implanted nickel/chrome electrodes on the proximal colon and a catheter into the lateral ventricle of the brain. In control rats the frequency of colonic spike bursts increased from 7.6 +/- 1.3 to 16.8 +/- 1.3 per 10 min when the rats were placed in a test cage in which they had previously received electric footshocks. I.p. injection of methysergide (0.1 mg/kg) reduced by 54% the emotional stress-induced increase of colonic spike burst frequency, while a higher dosage (1 mg/kg) of methysergide had no effect. The i.p. injection of ketanserin (a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg) or granisetron (a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg) had no effect on emotional stress-induced colonic hyperkinesia. The i.p. injection of the 5-HT1A receptor agonists, buspirone (1 mg/kg) or 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino(tetralin) (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) or benzodiazepine (clonazepam, 1 mg/kg) significantly reduced or suppressed the emotional stress-induced increase of colonic spike bursts. Injected i.c.v., buspirone, but not 8-OH-DPAT, also reduced the emotional stress-induced hyperkinesia. Pretreatment with devazepide receptor (1 microgram/kg) antagonized the inhibitory effects of buspirone and 8-OH-DPAT injected i.p. on emotional stress-induced colonic hyperkinesia but did not alter the effects of clonazepam (1 mg/kg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Involvement of central dopamine and D1 receptors in stress-induced colonic motor alterations in rats.

The role of central versus peripheral influence of dopamine (DA) in the genesis of emotional stress (ES) induced by fear to receive electric footshocks on colonic motility was evaluated in rats equipped with implanted electrodes on the proximal colon. In control rats, the frequency of colonic spike bursts increased from 7.5 +/- 1.9 to 16.0 +/- 2.1 per 10 min when the rats were placed in a test box where they had previously received electric footshocks. This increase induced by ES was significantly p less than 0.05, reduced by previous ICV or IP administration of (+)SCH 23390 (a D1 receptor antagonist) at doses of 10 and 100 micrograms/Kg, respectively. Although sulpiride (a D2 antagonist) injected ICV or IP at similar doses had no effect on the ES-induced increase in the frequency of colonic spike bursts. DA (100 micrograms/kg), and the selective D1 (SKF 38383) or D2 (quinpirole) receptor agonist injected ICV at a dose of 5 micrograms/kg also increased significantly by 48.7, 54.8, and 68.7%, respectively, the colonic spike burst frequency whereas they are inactive when injected IP at similar and higher doses. These results suggest that, in rats, (a) emotional stress stimulates colonic motility through the stimulation of dopaminergic neurons involving D1 receptors and (b) exogenous activation of central D1 and D2 receptors similarly stimulate colonic motility by increasing the occurrence of colonic spike bursts.

Orally administered kappa but not mu opiate agonists enhance gastric emptying of a solid canned food meal in dogs.

The effects of oral administration of selective mu (D-Ala2, N-Me-p-nitro-Phe4, Gly5-ol-DAGO, morphine) and/or kappa (3,4 dichloro-N-methyl N [2-(1. fyrrolidinyl) cyclohexyl]-benzene acetamide-U-50488, tifluadom) or mixed agonist (N-desmethyltrimebutine) opioid on gastric emptying have been evaluated using a radiolabelled [57Co] canned food meal in dogs fitted with gastric cannulas. In control conditions (placebo) the percentage of solids emptied 1 h after feeding was 27.3 +/- 4.1%. When given orally at doses of 0.01 to 0.5 mg kg-1, U-50488 increased significantly (P less than 0.05) by 29.1 to 60.8% in a dose-related manner (r-0.94, P less than 0.01) the amount of gastric emptying of the meal in 1 h. This effect was reproduced by oral administration of tifluadom (0.01 to 0.1 mg kg-1) and by N-desmethyltrimebutine (0.1 to 1 mg kg-1). In contrast, the gastric emptying was unaffected by DAGO and morphine at low doses (0.01 and 0.1 mg kg-1) but significantly (P less than 0.05) slowed with higher doses of morphine. The increases in amount of gastric emptying induced by tifluadom, U-50488 and N-desmethyltrimebutine were abolished by previous administration of naloxone (0.1 mg kg-1 i.v.) and [(3-furylmethyl) noretazocine]-MR 22-66 (0.1 mg kg-1 i.v.). These results indicate that orally administered kappa, but not mu agonists at doses not exceeding 1 mg kg-1 enhance the amount of gastric emptying of a solid meal in dogs and suggest that this is due to a selective local stimulation of kappa mucosal or submucosal opiate receptors at antroduodenal level.

A simple double radiolabeled technique to evaluate gastric emptying of canned food meal in dogs. Application to pharmacological tests.

Simultaneous measurement of solid and liquid phases of gastric emptying for a standard canned food meal was performed using a double radiolabeled technique in six dogs equipped with gastric cannula. The liquid phase (100 ml of tap water containing [14C] polyethylene glycol 4000) was added to the solid phase (400 g of canned food containing 10 g of liver tagged with [57Co] cyanocobalamine) and was presented for spontaneous eating to the dog. Determinations of individual emptying curves for solid and liquid phases were performed by total collection of gastric contents at one hour intervals 1 to 4 h after feeding. Regression constants and correlation coefficients indicated that liquids evacuated as a logarithmic function of time while solids emptied linearly between 1 and 4 h after the meal. Using this method we showed that orally (PO) administered metoclopramide (1 mg/kg) and domperidone (5 mg/kg) increased emptying of liquid phase measured one hour after eating by 106.3 p. 100 and 59.4 p. 100, respectively, but did not modify that of solid phase; in contrast, cisapride (5 mg/kg PO) increased emptying of the solid and liquid phases at one hour by 41.5 p. 100 and 73.0 p. 100, respectively.

Comparative influences of acoustic and cold stress on gastrointestinal transit in mice.

The effects of acoustic and cold stress on gastric emptying and intestinal transit were evaluated in mice treated with saline, diazepam, muscimol, propranolol, and naloxone using a radiolabeled chromium test meal. Acoustic stress (AS) was produced by playing music from a magnetic tape through loudspeakers (less than 86 dB) in a confined box at room temperature; and cold stress (CS) was produced by cold (10 degrees C) exposure. AS and CS sessions lasted 20 min. Both AS and CS were accompanied by a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in gastric emptying during at least 1 h. When measured 30 min after the meal, AS and CS increased gastric emptying from 43% of the test meal to 63 and 73%, respectively. Only CS affected intestinal transit, causing a 12.1% increase of the geometric center when measured 30 min after the test meal. Diazepam (0.5 mg/kg) muscimol (0.5 mg/kg), or propranolol (1 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally reduced or abolished the effects of AS and CS on both gastric emptying and intestinal transit. In contrast naloxone (0.2 mg/kg im), which increased gastric emptying when injected alone, was unable to affect the AS-induced alterations of gastric emptying but partially reduced those of CS. Intracerebroventricular administration of corticotropin-releasing factor (250 ng/kg) also increased by 52.1% the gastric emptying, whereas the geometric center was not affected. It is concluded that both AS and CS accelerate gastric emptying in mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

CNS vasopressin mediates emotional stress and CRH-induced colonic motor alterations in rats.

The effects of emotional stress (ES) corresponding to conditioned fear on colonic motility and its antagonism by [deamino-Pen1, Val4, D-Arg8]vasopressin, a vasopressin antagonist, were investigated by electromyography in conscious fasted rats fitted with chronically implanted electrodes. A 117% increase (19.6 +/- 2.1 vs. 9.0 +/- 0.9 cycles/10 min during the control period) in the frequency of colonic spike bursts was observed when rats were placed for 30 min in a box in which they had previously received electric foot shocks. Intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH; 0.5 micrograms/kg) mimicked the effects of ES and increased the spike burst frequency of the colon by 88.6% from 5 to 15 min after its administration. At doses between 5 and 20 micrograms/kg the antagonist [deamino-Pen1, Val4, D-Arg8]vasopressin significantly reduced or abolished the effects of ES and CRH administration on colonic motility. Injected icv at doses of 2.5 and 5 ng/kg [Arg8]vasopressin dose dependently increased the frequency of colonic spike bursts. These effects were not reproduced by similar or higher (50 ng/kg) doses given intraperitoneally, and the effects were abolished after previous administration of vasopressin at a dose of 20 micrograms/kg. It is concluded that the effects of ES on colonic motility in rats previously shown to be linked to the central nervous system (CNS) release of CRH are in turn mediated through the central release of vasopressin.

Central and peripheral opioid modulation of gastric relaxation induced by feeding in dogs.

The influence of i.v. vs. i.c.v. administration of [( D-Ala2, MetPhe4, Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAMGO) and morphine), kappa U 50488 and ethylketocyclazocine and delta ([D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE)] opioid agonists on gastric relaxation induced by a standard meal was evaluated in conscious dogs with strain-gauge transducers implanted on the gastric fundus and antrum. Under control conditions, the amplitude of the gastric relaxation in response to feeding was 2.46 +/- 0.23 g. Given i.v. 10 min before feeding, both U 50488 (10 micrograms/kg) and ethylketocyclazocine (10 micrograms/kg) significantly (P less than .01) reduced the amplitude of the gastric relaxation by 57 and 68%, respectively, whereas DAMGO and morphine (10 micrograms/kg i.v.) increased markedly the response to feeding by 67 and 51%, respectively. In contrast, DPDPE had no effect on the gastric relaxation induced by feeding. Previous administration of naloxone (0.3 mg/kg i.v.) or MR 2266 (0.3 mg/kg i.v.) blocked the effect of U 50488 on gastric relaxation with no effect per se on the amplitude of response; naloxone also blocked the increase in gastric relaxation induced by DAMGO. When administered i.c.v. (0.1 microgram/kg) DAMGO induced a significant (P less than .05) increase in the amplitude of gastric relaxation whereas U 50488 and DPDPE (0.1 and 1 microgram/kg i.c.v.) had no effect. The effect of i.c.v. DAMGO on gastric relaxation was unaffected by a previous i.v. administration of SR 58002C (1 mg/kg). Truncal vagotomy blocked the increase in gastric relaxation induced by DAMGO (10 micrograms/kg i.v.), but did not change the effect of U 50488 (10 micrograms/kg i.v.) on gastric relaxation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)