Gastrointestinal Myoelectric Measurements via Simultaneous External and Internal Electrodes in Pigs.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, there is no accurate noninvasive measurement system to diagnose gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders. Wireless skin patches have been introduced to provide an accurate noninvasive measurement of GI myoelectric activity which is essential for developing neuro-stimulation devices to treat GI motility disorders. The aim of this study is to compare the external and internal electrical signal measurements in ambulatory pigs. METHODS: Yucatan pigs underwent placement of internal electrodes on the stomach, small intestine, and colon. Wires were brought through the abdominal wall. Signals were collected by a wireless receptor. Four external patches were placed on the abdominal skin to record the signals simultaneously. Pigs were kept for 6 d while the sensors were continuously recording the data from both systems. RESULTS: Internal sensors detected rich signals from each organ. The stomach had a dominant frequency that ranged from 4 to 4.5 cpm, with occasional higher frequencies at 2, 3 and 4 times that. Small intestine signals had their primary energy in the 12-15 cpm range. Colon signals primarily displayed a dominant broad peak in the 4-6 cpm region. External skin patches detected a substantial fraction of the activities measured by the internal electrodes. A clear congruence in the frequency spectrum was observed between the internal and external readings. CONCLUSIONS: Internally measured myoelectrical signals confirmed different patterns of rhythmic activity of the stomach, small intestine, and colon. Skin patches provided GI myoelectric measurement with a range of frequencies that could be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of motility disorders.

[Dryness comparison of different fractions of Aurantii Fructus extract on normal mice and gastrointestinal motility disorder rats and spectrum-dryness study].

Aurantii Fructus is a commonly used qi-regulating medicinal herb in China. Both traditional Chinese medicine theory and modern experimental research demonstrate that Aurantii Fructus has dryness effect, the material basis of which remains unclear. In recent years, spectrum-effect relationship has been widely employed in the study of active ingredients in Chinese medicinal herbs, the research ideas and methods of which have been constantly improved. Based on the idea of spectrum-effect study, the ultra-high perfor-mance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) fingerprints of different fractions of Aurantii Fructus extract were established for the identification of total components. Then, the dryness effects of the fractions on normal mice and gastrointestinal motility disorder(GMD) rats were systematically compared. Finally, principal component analysis(PCA), Pearson bivariate correlation analysis and orthogonal partial least squares analysis(OPLS) were integrated to identify the dryness components of Aurantii Fructusextract. The results showed that narirutin, naringin, naringenin, poncirin, oxypeucedanin, and eriodictyol-7-O-glucoside had significant correlations with and contributed to the expression of AQP2 in kidney, AQP3 in colon, and AQP5 in submandibular gland, which were the main dryness components in Aurantii Fructus.

Intestinal Electrical Stimulation to Increase the Rate of Peristalsis.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders are a large and broad group. Some of these disorders have been effectively treated with electrical stimulation. The goal of our present study is to determine whether the rate of intestinal peristalsis can be increased with electrical stimulation. METHODS: Juvenile mini-Yucatan pigs were placed under general anesthesia and a short segment of the jejunum was transected. Ultrasound gel was placed inside the segment. The segment of the jejunum was first monitored for 20 min under no stimulation, followed by direct electrical stimulation using a planar electrode. The gel extruded out of the intestine via peristalsis was collected and weighed for each 20-min time interval. RESULTS: Effective delivery of the current to the intestine was confirmed via direct measurements. When there was no direct intestinal electrical stimulation, an average of 0.40 g of gel was expelled in 20 min, compared to 1.57 g of gel expelled during direct electrical stimulation (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Direct intestinal electrical stimulation accelerates the transit of gastrointestinal contents. This approach may be useful in the treatment of a range of pediatric motility disorders.

Persistent distention of colon damages interstitial cells of Cajal through Ca2+ -ERK-AP-1-miR-34c-SCF deregulation.

Gastrointestinal motility disorders (GMDs) are attributed to loss of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), whose survival and function are deeply dependent on the activation of KIT/SCF signalling. Based on the facts that gastrointestinal distention is common in GMD patients and SCF produced by smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is usually decreased before ICC loss, we considered a possible contribution of persistent gastrointestinal distention/stretch to SCF deficiency. In this study, chronic colonic distention mouse model, diabetic gastrointestinal paresis mouse model, cultured mouse colonic SMCs and colon specimens from Hirschsprung's disease patients were used. The results showed that SCF was clearly decreased in distent colon of mice and patients, and microRNA array and real-time PCR indicated a concomitant increase of miR-34c in distent colon. A negative regulation of miR-34c on SCF expression was confirmed by luciferase reporter assays together with knock-down and overexpression of miR-34c in cultured colonic SMCs. Using EMSA and ChIP assays, we further consolidated that in response to persistent stretch, the transcription factor AP-1/c-Jun was highly activated in colonic SMCs and significantly promoted miR-34c transcription by binding to miR-34c promoter. Knock-down or overexpression of AP-1/c-Jun in cultured colonic SMCs leads to down- or up-regulation of miR-34c, respectively. In addition, the activation of AP-1/c-Jun was through ERK1/2 signalling provoked by Ca2+ overload in colonic SMCs that were subject to persistent stretch. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that persistent distention/stretch on colonic SMCs could suppress SCF production probably through Ca2+ -ERK-AP-1-miR-34c deregulation, resulting in ICC loss or impairment and GMD progress.

Persistent mechanical stretch-induced calcium overload and MAPK signal activation contributed to SCF reduction in colonic smooth muscle in vivo and in vitro.

Gastrointestinal (GI) distention is a common pathological characteristic in most GI motility disorders (GMDs), however, their detail mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we focused on Ca2+ overload of smooth muscle, which is an early intracellular reaction to stretch, and its downstream MAPK signaling and also reduction of SCF in vivo and in vitro. We successfully established colonic dilation mouse model by keeping incomplete colon obstruction for 8 days. The results showed that persistent colonic dilation clearly induced Ca2+ overload and activated all the three MAPK family members including JNK, ERK and p38 in smooth muscle tissues. Similar results were obtained from dilated colon of patients with Hirschsprung's disease and stretched primary mouse colonic smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Furthermore, we demonstrated that persistent stretch-induced Ca2+ overload was originated from extracellular Ca2+ influx and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ release identified by treating with different Ca2+ channel blockers, and was responsible for the persistent activation of MAPK signaling and SCF reduction in colonic SMCs. Our results suggested that Ca2+ overload caused by smooth muscle stretch led to persistent activation of MAPK signaling which might contribute to the decrease of SCF and development of the GMDs.

The spectrum of gastrointestinal functional bowel disorders in joint hypermobility syndrome and in an academic referral center.

Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is a non-inflammatory hereditary disorder of connective tissue with varied clinical presentations, including frequent joint dislocations, hyperextensible skin, easy bruising, and abnormal paper-thin scar formation. Many of these patients have unexplained gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of JHS in a tertiary gastroenterology motility clinic and the spectrum of functional bowel disorders in JHS patients. In this retrospective case series, we screened the medical records of 277 patients seen over 4 years at an academic GI Motility Center. The patients who met the criteria for JHS by Beighton hypermobility score were evaluated for the presence of functional GI disorders by Rome IV criteria. They also underwent gastric emptying study and glucose breath testing for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. The prevalence of JHS in the study population was 9.7%. The mean age was 27 years, and 92.5% were female. The symptoms experienced by these patients include nausea/vomiting (89%), abdominal pain (70%), constipation (48%), and bloating (18.5%). The disorders associated with JHS include gastroparesis (52%), irritable bowel syndrome (55.5%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (30%). Also, 10 patients (37%) were diagnosed with postural hypotension tachycardia syndrome secondary to autonomic dysfunction. Approximately 10% of patients with suspected functional bowel disorders have hypermobility syndrome. Hence, it is crucial to familiarize gastrointestinal practitioners with the criteria utilized to diagnose JHS and the methods to identify physical examination findings related to this condition.

Antibiotic Treatment Induces Long-Lasting Effects on Gut Microbiota and the Enteric Nervous System in Mice.

The side effects of antibiotic treatment directly correlate with intestinal dysbiosis. However, a balanced gut microbiota supports the integrity of the enteric nervous system (ENS), which controls gastrointestinal neuromuscular functions. In this study, we investigated the long-term effects of antibiotic-induced microbial dysbiosis on the ENS and the impact of the spontaneous re-establishment of the gut microbiota on gastrointestinal functions. C57BL/6J mice were treated daily for two weeks with antibiotics. After 0-6 weeks of antibiotics wash-out, we determined (a) gut microbiota composition, (b) gastrointestinal motility, (c) integrity of the ENS, (d) neurochemical code, and (e) inflammation. Two weeks of antibiotic treatment significantly altered gut microbial composition; the genera Clostridium, Lachnoclostridium, and Akkermansia did not regain their relative abundance following six weeks of antibiotic discontinuation. Mice treated with antibiotics experienced delayed gastrointestinal transit and altered expression of neuronal markers. The anomalies of the ENS persisted for up to 4 weeks after the antibiotic interruption; the expression of neuronal HuC/D, glial-derived neurotrophic factor (Gdnf), and nerve growth factor (Ngf) mRNA transcripts did not recover. In this study, we strengthened the idea that antibiotic-induced gastrointestinal dysmotility directly correlates with gut dysbiosis as well as structural and functional damage to the ENS.

Noninvasive electrical neuromodulation for gastrointestinal motility disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal motility disorders are highly prevalent without satisfactory treatment. noninvasive electrical neuromodulation is an emerging therapy for treating various gastrointestinal motility disorders. AREAS COVERED: In this review, several emerging noninvasive neuromodulation methods are introduced, including transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation, percutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation, transcutaneous cervical vagal nerve stimulation, transcutaneous electrical acustimulation, transabdominal interference stimulation, tibial nerve stimulation, and translumbosacral neuromodulation therapy. Their clinical applications in the most common gastrointestinal motility are discussed, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional dyspepsia, gastroparesis, functional constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and fecal incontinence. PubMed database was searched from 1995 to June 2023 for relevant articles in English. EXPERT OPINION: Noninvasive neuromodulation is effective and safe in improving both gastrointestinal symptoms and dysmotility; it can be used when pharmacotherapy is ineffective. Future directions include refining the methodology, improving device development and understanding mechanisms of action.

Network Pharmacological Analysis and Experimental Validation of the Effect of Smilacis Glabrae Rhixoma on Gastrointestinal Motility Disorder.

Gastrointestinal motility disorder (GMD) is a disease that causes digestive problems due to inhibition of the movement of the gastrointestinal tract and is one of the diseases that reduce the quality of life of modern people. Smilacis Glabrae Rhixoma (SGR) is a traditional herbal medicine for many diseases and is sometimes prescribed to improve digestion. As a network pharmacological approach, we searched the TCMSP database for SGR, reviewed its constituents and target genes, and analyzed its relevance to gastrointestinal motility disorder. The effects of the SGR extract on the pacemaker activity in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and gastric emptying were investigated. In addition, using the GMD mouse model through acetic acid (AA), we investigated the locomotor effect of SGR on the intestinal transit rate (ITR). As a result of network pharmacology analysis, 56 compounds out of 74 candidate compounds of SGR have targets, the number of targets is 390 targets, and there are 904 combinations. Seventeen compounds of SGR were related to GMD, and as a result of comparing the related genes with the GMD-related genes, 17 genes (active only) corresponded to both. When looking at the relationship network between GMD and SGR, it was confirmed that quercetin, resveratrol, SCN5A, TNF, and FOS were most closely related to GMD. In addition, the SGR extract regulated the pacemaker activity in ICC and recovered the delayed gastric emptying. As a result of feeding the SGR extract to AA-induced GMD mice, it was confirmed that the ITR decreased by AA was restored by the SGR extract. Through network pharmacology, it was confirmed that quercetin, resveratrol, SCN5A, TNF, and FOS were related to GMD in SGR, and these were closely related to intestinal motility. Based on these results, it is suggested that SGR in GMD restores digestion through the recovery of intestinal motility.

Nutritional status of protein intake in severe pneumonia patients based on dietary nutrition information system.

In order to explore the effect of protein intake on the nutritional status of patients with severe pneumonia (SP) based on a dietary nutrition information system, 108 cases of SP patients of The First people's Hospital of Fuyang were selected as the research objects. Nutrition score of these patients was made by using dietary nutrition information system and then the patients were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. Both groups were treated with basic treatment combined nutrition treatment. At the same time, the experimental group was added with donkey milk, Badanmu, Chamagu compound containing a variety of protein nutritional preparations 20g/d. The changes of intestinal mucosal barrier function in two groups were observed before treatment and 7-14 days after treatment. The results showed that the enteral nutrition (EN) of the experimental group rich in multiple proteins could reduce the levels of blood diamine oxidase (DAO), D-Lactic ac (D-LC) and bacterial endotoxin (BT), protect the intestinal mucosal barrier function of SP patients, improve the gastrointestinal function of SP patients and reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal motility disorder. That is to say, SP patients need not only high protein nutrition supplement but also a variety of protein supply. The nutritional status of protein intake in patients with SP was studied based on dietary nutrition information system. The results provided experimental data for nutritional treatment of patients with SP.

Combination of urine and faeces metabolomics to reveal the intervention mechanism of Polygala tenuifolia compatibility with Magnolia officinalis on gastrointestinal motility disorders.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the intervention mechanism of combining Polygala tenuifolia (PT) with Magnolia officinalis (MO) on gastrointestinal motility disorders caused by PT. METHODS: Urine and faeces of rats were collected; the effects of PT and MO on the gastric emptying and small intestine advancing rates in mice were analysed via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) to determine the potential metabolites. Changes in the metabolic profiles of the urine and faeces were revealed by untargeted metabolomics, followed by multivariate statistical analysis. The integration of urine and faeces was applied to reveal the intervention mechanism of PT-MO on PT-induced disorders. KEY FINDINGS: PT + MO (1:2) improved the gastrointestinal function in mice suffering from PT-induced gastrointestinal motility disorder. Metabolomics indicated that the PT-MO mechanism was mainly associated with the regulations of 17 and 12 metabolites and 11 and 10 pathways in urine and faeces, respectively. The common metabolic pathways were those of tyrosine, purine, tricarboxylic acid cycle, pyruvate and gluconeogenesis, which were responsible for the PT-MO intervention mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: The PT-MO (1:2) couple mechanism mitigated the PT-induced disorders, which were related to the energy, amino acid and fatty metabolisms.

Megaesophagus and Megaduodenum Found Incidentally on a Routine Chest Radiograph During a Health Examination.

Chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIIP) caused by impaired intestinal peristalsis leads to intestinal obstructive symptoms. A 20-year-old man had marked esophageal dilatation that was found incidentally on chest radiography during a health examination. Chest/abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography and endoscopy showed marked esophageal and duodenal dilatation without mechanical obstruction. Upper gastrointestinal series and high-resolution esophageal manometry revealed absent peristalsis in the dilated part. CIIP was suspected in the patient's father, suggesting familial CIIP. The patient likely had signs of pre-onset CIIP. This is the first case of suspected CIIP in which detailed gastrointestinal tract examinations were performed before symptoms appeared.

miR-222 regulates cell growth, apoptosis, and autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal isolated from slow transit constipation rats by targeting c-kit.

BACKGROUND: Excessive autophagy and apoptosis of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) have been identified in gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders including slow transit constipation (STC). MicroRNA 222 (miR-222) has been shown to affect GI motility. This study aimed to explore whether miR-222 influences apoptosis and excessive autophagy of isolated ICC. METHODS: miR-222, c-kit, and stem cell factor (SCF) were evaluated in colon tissues in STC rats compared with normal control by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. The condition of autophagy of colon tissue was observed by transmission electron microscope. ICC were isolated from the colon of STC rats. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and wound healing assay were carried out to examine the cell viability and migration rate. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and Annexin V-Flourescein Isothiocyanate/Propidine Iodide (FITC/PI) apoptosis detection kit. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the c-kit and SCF expression; apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and pro-caspase-3; and autophagy-related proteins LC3B and Beclin-1. The connection between miR-222 and c-kit was detected by bioinformatics and luciferase activity analysis. RESULTS: miR-222 expression was significantly higher, whereas c-kit and SCF expressions were markedly lower in STC rats' colon tissue compared with normal control. Meanwhile, STC rats exhibited excessive autophagy in colon tissue than normal control. Inhibition of miR-222 expression promoted cell proliferation as well as migration and inhibited autophagy, whereas upregulation of miR-222 had the opposite effect. In addition, miR-222 upregulation induced apoptosis and excessive autophagy compared with normal controls (NC). Western blot analysis showed that miR-222 overexpression caused decreased c-kit and SCF protein levels compared with NC. Bioinformatics and luciferase activity analysis revealed that miR-222 could be a predictive regulator of c-kit. CONCLUSION: miR-222 induces apoptosis and excessive autophagy of ICC and may serve as potential biomarker for ICC loss in STC.

Ultrasonographic assessment of the effect of metoclopramide, erythromycin, and exenatide on solid-phase gastric emptying in healthy cats.

BACKGROUND: Available data on the effect of gastrointestinal motility-modifying drugs in cats are limited. Most recommendations for drug usage and dosage are based on collective clinical experience. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of metoclopramide, erythromycin, and exenatide on gastric emptying (GE) and gastric motility in comparison to placebo. We hypothesized that metoclopramide and erythromycin would have prokinetic gastric effects, whereas exenatide would prolong GE times and decrease the motility index (MI) of antral contractions. ANIMALS: Eight healthy domestic shorthair cats. METHODS: Each cat had 4 separate ultrasonographic assessments. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, 4-way crossover design, cats received placebo, metoclopramide, erythromycin, or exenatide for 2 days followed by a minimum 5-day washout period. Ultrasonographic GE times and MI were compared to placebo. RESULTS: When compared to placebo, the rate of GE was significantly faster after administration of metoclopramide and erythromycin. Significant differences were found at all fractions of GE after administration of erythromycin and all but 1 fraction after metoclopramide when compared to placebo. The rate of GE in the first half of the GE curve was significantly slower after exenatide administration. The total area under the Ml curve was significantly larger after administration of metoclopramide and erythromycin than after placebo. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Metoclopramide and erythromycin shorten GE times and increase the MI of antral contractions, thus having a prokinetic effect in the stomach of healthy cats, whereas exenatide causes an initial delay in GE.

Saturated long-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria contribute to enhanced colonic motility in rats.

BACKGROUND: The gut microbiota is closely associated with gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorder, but the mechanism(s) by which bacteria interact with and affect host GI motility remains unclear. In this study, through using metabolomic and metagenomic analyses, an animal model of neonatal maternal separation (NMS) characterized by accelerated colonic motility and gut dysbiosis was used to investigate the mechanism underlying microbiota-driven motility dysfunction. RESULTS: An excess of intracolonic saturated long-chain fatty acids (SLCFAs) was associated with enhanced bowel motility in NMS rats. Heptadecanoic acid (C17:0) and stearic acid (C18:0), as the most abundant odd- and even-numbered carbon SLCFAs in the colon lumen, can promote rat colonic muscle contraction and increase stool frequency. Increase of SLCFAs was positively correlated with elevated abundances of Prevotella, Lactobacillus, and Alistipes. Functional annotation found that the level of bacterial LCFA biosynthesis was highly enriched in NMS group. Essential synthetic genes Fabs were largely identified from the genera Prevotella, Lactobacillus, and Alistipes. Pseudo germ-free (GF) rats receiving fecal microbiota from NMS donors exhibited increased defecation frequency and upregulated bacterial production of intracolonic SLCFAs. Modulation of gut dysbiosis by neomycin effectively attenuated GI motility and reduced bacterial SLCFA generation in the colon lumen of NMS rats. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal a previously unknown relationship between gut bacteria, intracolonic SLCFAs, and host GI motility, suggesting the importance of SLCFA-producing bacteria in GI motility disorders. Further exploration of this relationship could lead to a precise medication targeting the gut microbiota for treating GI motility disorders.

Primary presentation of Jeune's syndrome as gastric motility disorder in an infant: A case report.

We report a case of a 4-week-old female neonate with Jeune's asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy (JATD) and coexistent situs anomaly, primarily presenting as gastric motility disorder. The child presented with abdominal distension and nonbilious vomiting since birth with failure to thrive. However, skeletal survey revealed JATD. Upper gastrointestinal contrast study showed situs inversus with delayed gastric emptying. Pyloric biopsy and intraoperative antro-duodenal manometry confirmed association of gastric motility disorder. Awareness of the unusual possibility of primary presentation of Jeune syndrome as gastric motility disorder will improve the management approach in such infants.

Validation of Ultrasonography for Assessment of Gastric Emptying Time in Healthy Cats by Radionuclide Scintigraphy.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of gastric emptying (GE) disorders in cats is unknown due to lack of clinically applicable diagnostic tests. OBJECTIVES: The principal aim of this study was to assess correlation between scintigraphic and ultrasonographic measurements of GE time (GET) in healthy cats. Additionally, variability of ultrasonographic GET, and correlation between scintigraphy and ultrasonographic parameters of gastric motility were evaluated. ANIMALS: Eight healthy domestic shorthair cats. METHODS: Prospective study. Scintigraphic GET was determined using a solid test meal containing 4 mCi 99m Tc-mebrofenin. Each cat had 3 separate ultrasonographic assessments of GE, performed independent of scintigraphic assessment, after solid test meal consumption. The motility index (MI) of antral contractions was plotted against time and time for each fraction of the area under the MI curve determined. Ultrasonographic GET and MI were correlated to scintigraphic GET. RESULTS: Scintigraphic GET (mean ± SD) for 25, 50, and 75% GE was 103 ± 32 minutes, 196 ± 45 minutes, and 288 ± 62 minutes, whereas sonographic GET for 25, 50, and 75% GE was 106 ± 13 minutes, 203 ± 19 minutes, and 305 ± 27 minutes. There was good correlation between scintigraphic and sonographic GET (r = 0.72-0.82) at 45-90% fractional GE and between scintigraphic GET and time of corresponding MI curve fraction (r = 0.78-0.86) at 40-90% fraction of the MI curve. There was moderate intraindividual variability for sonographic GET and MI curve fraction times as well as significant variation among individuals. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Ultrasonography is a valid alternative to scintigraphy for assessment of solid-phase GE and allows assessment of postprandial gastric motility in healthy cats.

miR-551b-5p increases intracellular Ca2+ concentration but does not alter c-Kit expression in rat interstitial cells of Cajal.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the severe acute pancreatitis (SAP)-related miR-551b-5p on intracellular Ca2+ concentration and c-Kit expression and distribution in rat interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in vitro. METHODS: ICCs were isolated from 5-10-day-old rats and cultured in vitro. The cultured ICCs were divided into five groups: a normal control group; a group transfected with an miR-551b-5p mimic; a group transfected with an miR-551b-5p inhibitor; a group transfected with a negative control for the miR-551b-5p mimic; and a group transfected with a negative control for the miR-551b-5p inhibitor. After transfection, real-time PCR was used to detect miR-551b-5p and c-Kit expression. A Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression of c-Kit protein. Confocal microscopy combined with immunofluorescence and Fluo 3-acetoxymethyl (AM) fluorescence were used to determine the localization of c-Kit and intracellular Ca2+ concentration, respectively. RESULTS: Transfection with the miR-551b-5p mimic or inhibitor resulted in overexpression or downregulation of miR-551b-5p in ICCs, respectively. The overexpression or downregulation of miR-551b-5p had no significant influence on c-Kit mRNA or protein levels. The overexpression of miR-551b-5p significantly increased the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and the downregulation of miR-551b-5p significantly decreased the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. CONCLUSION: miR-551b-5p increases intracellular Ca2+ concentration but does not alter c-Kit expression in rat ICCs, suggesting that it functions in ICCs by regulating the intracellular Ca2+ concentration downstream or independently of c-Kit signaling.

Dryness comparison of different fractions of Aurantii Fructus extract on normal mice and gastrointestinal motility disorder rats and spectrum-dryness study / 中国中药杂志

Aurantii Fructus is a commonly used qi-regulating medicinal herb in China. Both traditional Chinese medicine theory and modern experimental research demonstrate that Aurantii Fructus has dryness effect, the material basis of which remains unclear. In recent years, spectrum-effect relationship has been widely employed in the study of active ingredients in Chinese medicinal herbs, the research ideas and methods of which have been constantly improved. Based on the idea of spectrum-effect study, the ultra-high perfor-mance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) fingerprints of different fractions of Aurantii Fructus extract were established for the identification of total components. Then, the dryness effects of the fractions on normal mice and gastrointestinal motility disorder(GMD) rats were systematically compared. Finally, principal component analysis(PCA), Pearson bivariate correlation analysis and orthogonal partial least squares analysis(OPLS) were integrated to identify the dryness components of Aurantii Fructusextract. The results showed that narirutin, naringin, naringenin, poncirin, oxypeucedanin, and eriodictyol-7-O-glucoside had significant correlations with and contributed to the expression of AQP2 in kidney, AQP3 in colon, and AQP5 in submandibular gland, which were the main dryness components in Aurantii Fructus.

Experts' Opinion on Rational Use of Dopamine D / 胃肠病学

Gastrointestinal motility disorder is one of the key pathophysiological mechanisms of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). The prokinetics, dopamine D