The myogenic component in distention-induced peristalsis in the guinea pig small intestine.

In an in vitro model for distention-induced peristalsis in the guinea pig small intestine, the electrical activity, intraluminal pressure, and outflow of contents were studied simultaneously to search for evidence of myogenic control activity. Intraluminal distention induced periods of nifedipine-sensitive slow wave activity with superimposed action potentials, alternating with periods of quiescence. Slow waves and associated high intraluminal pressure transients propagated aborally, causing outflow of content. In the proximal small intestine, a frequency gradient of distention-induced slow waves was observed, with a frequency of 19 cycles/min in the first 1 cm and 11 cycles/min 10 cm distally. Intracellular recording revealed that the guinea pig small intestinal musculature, in response to carbachol, generated slow waves with superimposed action potentials, both sensitive to nifedipine. These slow waves also exhibited a frequency gradient. In addition, distention and cholinergic stimulation induced high-frequency membrane potential oscillations (~55 cycles/min) that were not associated with distention-induced peristalsis. Continuous distention produced excitation of the musculature, in part neurally mediated, that resulted in periodic occurrence of bursts of distally propagating nifedipine-sensitive slow waves with superimposed action potentials associated with propagating intraluminal pressure waves that caused pulsatile outflow of content at the slow wave frequency.

Interstitial cells of Cajal: mediators of communication between circular and longitudinal muscle layers of canine colon.

The network of interstitial cells of Cajal associated with Auerbach's (myenteric) plexus in the canine colon was investigated to determine its role in facilitating communication between circular and longitudinal muscle layers. Electrical coupling between the muscle layers was demonstrated by propagating extracellularly evoked electrotonic pulses from circular muscle cells to nearby longitudinal muscle cells. The likelihood of cytoplasmic continuity across Auerbach's plexus was further demonstrated by the ability of neurobiotin to spread between the interstitial cells and the circular and longitudinal muscle cells. Importantly, direct neurobiotin spread between circular and longitudinal muscle cells was not observed even when they were in close proximity as determined by confocal microscopy. When neurobiotin did spread across the two muscle layers, the intervening interstitial cells were always neurobiotin-positive. In regions where circular and longitudinal muscle cells approach each other closely, electron microscopy revealed the presence of close appositions between interstitial cells and smooth muscle cells. Gap junctions between interstitial cells and smooth muscle cells of both layers, as judged by electron microscopy, were extremely rare. Neither gap junctions nor close appositions were observed between longitudinal and circular muscle cells. The special arrangement for electrotonic coupling across Auerbach's plexus through interstitial cells of Cajal suggests controlled coupling between the two muscle layers, explaining the preservation of their distinct electrical activities.

Interstitial cells of Cajal generate a rhythmic pacemaker current.

Networks of interstitial cells of Cajal embedded in the musculature of the gastrointestinal tract are involved in the generation of electrical pacemaker activity for gastrointestinal motility. This pacemaker activity manifests itself as rhythmic slow waves in membrane potential, and controls the frequency and propagation characteristics of gut contractile activity. Mice that lack a functional Kit receptor fail to develop the network of interstitial cells of Cajal associated with Auerbach's plexus in the mouse small intestine and do not generate slow wave activity. These cells could provide an essential component of slow wave activity (for example, a biochemical trigger that would be transferred to smooth muscle cells), or provide an actual pacemaker current that could initiate slow waves. Here we provide direct evidence that a single cell, identified as an interstitial cell of Cajal by light microscopy, electron microscopy and expression of Kit mRNA, generates spontaneous contractions and a rhythmic inward current that is insensitive to L-type calcium channel blockers. Identification of the pacemaker of gut motility will aid in the elucidation of the pathophysiology of intestinal motor disorders, and provide a target cell for pharmacological treatment.

Pinaverium acts as L-type calcium channel blocker on smooth muscle of colon.

The effect of pinaverium was electrophysiologically characterized and compared with the established L-type calcium channel blockers diltiazem, D600, and nitrendipine on canine colonic circular smooth muscle. Effects were studied on the electrical activity of the smooth muscle cells, in particular the spontaneously occurring slow wave. In addition, effects were examined on spontaneous contraction patterns and contractile activities generated by stimulation of cholinergic nerves or directly by stimulating muscarinic receptors. Effects were also examined on excitation of NO-releasing intrinsic nerves. Pinaverium bromide affected the slow wave by selectively inhibiting the plateau potential that is associated with generation of contractile activity. Pinaverium, similar to diltiazem and D600, produced reductions in cholinergic responses as well as spontaneous contractions. The IC50 values for inhibition of cholinergic responses for pinaverium, diltiazem, and D600 were 1.0 x 10(-6), 4.1 x 10(-7), and 5.3 x 10(-7) M, respectively. The IC50 values for inhibition of spontaneous contractile activity for pinaverium, diltiazem, and D600 were 3.8 x 10(-6), 9.7 x 10(-7), and 8.0 x 10(-7) M, respectively. Increases in contractility by carbachol were abolished by pretreatment with either pinaverium or D600. In addition, neither pinaverium nor D600 had any effects on the inhibitory NO-mediated relaxations. These data provide a rationale for the use of pinaverium in the treatment of colonic motor disorders where excessive contraction has to be suppressed.

Generation of slow wave type action potentials in the mouse small intestine involves a non-L-type calcium channel.

Intrinsic electrical activities in various isolated segments of the mouse small intestine were recorded (i) to characterize action potential generation and (ii) to obtain a profile on the ion channels involved in initiating the slow wave type action potentials (slow waves). Gradients in slow wave frequency, resting membrane potential, and occurrence of spiking activity were found, with the proximal intestine exhibiting the highest frequency, the most hyperpolarized cell membrane, and the greatest occurrence of spikes. The slow waves were only partially sensitive to L-type calcium channel blockers. Nifedipine, verapamil, and pinaverium bromide abolished spikes that occurred on the plateau phase of the slow waves in all tissues. The activity that remained in the presence of L-type calcium channel blockers, the upstroke potential, retained a similar amplitude to the original slow wave and was of identical frequency. The upstroke potential was not sensitive to a reduction in extracellular chloride or to the sodium channel blockers tetrodotoxin and mexiletine. Abolishment of the Na+ gradient by removal of 120 mM extracellular Na+ reduced the upstroke potential frequency by 13 - 18% and its amplitude by 50 - 70% in the ileum. The amplitude was similarly reduced by Ni2+ (up to 5 mM), and by flufenamic acid (100 mu M), a nonspecific cation and chloride channel blocker. Gadolinium, a nonspecific blocker of cation and stretch-activated channels, had no effect. Throughout these pharmacological manipulations, a robust oscillation remained at 5 - 10 mV. This oscillation likely reflects pacemaker activity. It was rapidly abolished by removal of extracellular calcium but not affected by L-type calcium channel blockers. In summary, the mouse small intestine has been established as a model for research into slow wave generation and electrical pacemaker activity. The upstroke part of the slow wave has two components, the pacemaker component involves a non-L-type calcium channel.

Intercellular metabolic coupling in canine colon musculature.

Intercellular communication within the musculature of the canine colon was studied by examining the results of neurobiotin diffusion after injection of the tracer into smooth muscle cells at different locations within the muscle layer. Circular muscle at the submucosal surface, circular muscle adjacent to the myenteric plexus, and longitudinal muscle demonstrated different degrees of time-dependent tracer spread. At the submucosal surface, tracer spread was rapid, extensive, and unimpeded by connective tissue septa. At the myenteric side, tracer spread was also extensive but was much slower and confined to bundles of cells bordered by septa. In contrast to previous studies that suggest an absence of gap junctions at the myenteric side of the circular muscle, the neurobiotin spread indicates full metabolic coupling of all circular smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, in contrast to the belief that longitudinal muscle is completely devoid of gap junctions, tracer spread occurred between cells in this layer, although neurobiotin diffusion was very limited, nonuniform, and slow. In each area of the musculature studied, tracer spread was inhibited by octanol. When very long injection and wait times were implemented at the submucosal surface of the circular muscle, neurobiotin was observed to cross septa through the network of interstitial cells of Cajal, indicating that it is this network that provides communication between lamellae.

Effect of voltage and cyclic AMP on frequency of slow-wave-type action potentials in canine colon smooth muscle.

1. A non-L-type calcium conductance is involved in the generation of the initial part of the slow-wave-type action potential in colonic smooth muscle. The present study addresses the question whether this conductance is voltage or metabolically activated. 2. Current-induced hyperpolarization increased frequency and amplitude of slow waves measured in Krebs solution. 3. The upstroke potential was 'isolated' from the slow wave by superfusion with 'glucamine-nitrendipine' Krebs solution (NaCl was replaced by glucamine, nitrendipine was added). 4. Hyperpolarization up to -100 mV did not affect the upstroke potential frequency and increased its amplitude. Only hyperpolarization further than -100 mV decreased the frequency less than or equal to 20%, and reduced the amplitude less than or equal to 20%. 5. Depolarization did not affect the upstroke potential frequency. 6. Forskolin, but not 1,9-dideoxyforskolin dramatically decreased the upstroke potential frequency, without affecting other parameters including the resting membrane potential. 7. The effect of forskolin was mimicked by dibutyryl cyclic AMP, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), but not extracellular cyclic AMP. 8. The upstroke potential could not be evoked by depolarizing pulses after inhibition of activity by forskolin. 9. The effect of forskolin could be reversed by the calcium ionophore A23187. 10. In summary, voltage changes up to -40 mV and down to -100 mV do not, but changes in intracellular cyclic AMP do affect the frequency of the upstroke potential. 11. It is likely that intracellular metabolic activity, which may include cyclic AMP but not a voltage change, activates the conductance responsible for the generation of the upstroke potential.

Generation of slow-wave-type action potentials in canine colon smooth muscle involves a non-L-type Ca2+ conductance.

1. The hypothesis was addressed that a non-L-type calcium conductance is involved in the generation of the initial part of the slow-wave-type action potential in the canine colon. 2. In the absence of a sodium and chloride gradient (NaCl replaced by glucamine), and in the presence of nitrendipine (in 'glucamine-nitrendipine' Krebs solution), a major portion of the upstroke potential of the slow wave persists at unchanged frequency. 3. In 'glucamine-nitrendipine' Krebs solution, the rate of rise and amplitude of the upstroke potential is reduced by removal of extracellular calcium in a concentration-dependent manner. 4. The rate of rise and the amplitude of the upstroke potential is in a concentration-dependent manner reduced by Ni2+ greater than Cd2+ greater than Co2+ greater than Mg2+. 5. In 'glucamine-nitrendipine' Krebs solution, Ba2+ cannot replace Ca2+ in the generation of the upstroke potential. 6. Positive evidence was obtained for the hypothesis that a non-L-type calcium conductance is involved in the initiation of the slow-wave-type action potential in colonic smooth muscle.

Potassium channel activation by cromakalim affects the slow wave type action potential of colonic smooth muscle.

The objective was to determine the existence of a glybenclamide-sensitive K+ conductance in intestinal smooth muscle, to study a possible role for this conductance in the generation of colonic slow wave type action potentials and to investigate if modification of this conductance could alter the action potentials and hence colonic motility. Intracellular electrical recording techniques were used to study properties of cells from the network of smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells of Cajal at the submucosal border of the circular muscle layer of the canine colon, where colonic pacemaker activity is generated. Cromakalim, dose dependently, hyperpolarized the cells and decreased the duration of the action potential, thereby inhibiting contractile activity. The upstroke amplitude and the action potential frequency remained unaltered. Glybenclamide did not affect any parameter of spontaneous electrical activity but prevented all effects of cromakalim. Cromakalim seems to act through increase in K+ conductance because the cromakalim-induced hyperpolarization is accompanied by a marked reduction in input resistance, is inhibited by glybenclamide and tetraethylammonium and it is shown that the cromakalim effect does not occur through effects on Na+ or Cl- conductances. Thus, glybenclamide-sensitive K+ conductance exists in colonic smooth muscle; the spontaneous development of slow wave type action potentials in this tissue occurs independent of this conductance. Its existence may provide pharmacological possibilities to affect gastrointestinal motility.

Innervation of interstitial cells of Cajal by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide containing nerves in canine colon.

The hypothesis was tested, through structural and functional studies, that interstitial cells of Cajal receive and can respond to direct innervation from nerves containing the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide neuromediator. The submucosal network of interstitial cells of Cajal has been postulated to provide pacemaking activity for the circular muscle and to be involved in neurotransmission from nonadrenergic, noncholinergic nerves for which vasoactive intestinal polypeptide is a putative mediator. The distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and substance P immunoreactive material in nerve profiles of the enteric nervous system of the canine colon was examined. In addition, electrophysiological studies were done on the interstitial cells bordering the submucosal side of the circular muscle layer after they were electrically isolated using heptanol. The vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactivity, located exclusively in nerve large granular vesicles, was found throughout the enteric nervous system (myenteric plexus, submucous plexus, and circular muscle--submucosa interface). The highest proportion (38% compared with 22-24%) of profiles of large granular vesicles with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactivity was found in nerve profiles of the circular muscle--submucosa interface. In contrast, substance P immunoreactivity was found in nerve profiles of myenteric plexus (33% of large granular vesicles were positive) but not associated with submucosal interstitial cell nerve network. The vasoactive intestinal polypeptide hyperpolarized interstitial cells by 9 mV when electrically isolated by 1 mM heptanol and markedly reduced (about 50%) their input membrane resistance. We conclude that the distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactivity and its action are consistent with a postulated role of the interstitial cells as a major site of neurally mediated inhibition of colonic pacemaker activity.

Characterization of Merkel cells and mechanosensory axons of the rat by styryl pyridinium dyes.

The epidermal Merkel cells and their sensory innervation serve tactile sensation in vertebrates. In this study the fluorescent cationic mitochondrial dye, 4-(4-diethylaminostyryl)-N-methylpyridinium iodide (4-Di-2-ASP), which has recently been used as a vital stain for motor and autonomic nerve terminals, was tested for its ability to stain Merkel cells and sensory fibers in the snout of the rat. Brightly-fluorescent structures resembling Merkel cells as well as nerve fibers and their terminations were evident in whole mounts of the vibrissal follicle. Unilateral denervation of the vibrissal follicles soon after birth resulted in a staining pattern remarkably similar to that obtained after labelling of the Merkel cells selectively with the fluorescent marker quinacrine, but all fiber staining was abolished. Likewise, in the separated epidermis of other skin regions, including the hairy and glabrous skin of the nose, the staining pattern revealed by 4-Di-2-ASP was indistinguishable from that obtained by quinacrine fluorescence. These results indicate that certain styryl pyridinium dyes may be used as vital stains for epidermal Merkel cells as well as cutaneous mechanosensory axons.

Development of Merkel cell populations with contrasting sensitivities to neonatal deafferentation in the rat whisker pad.

In this study, we used the quinacrine fluorescence technique to investigate the embryonic and early postnatal development of two distinct populations of Merkel cells in the rat whisker pad and the consequences of neonatal deafferentation on their subsequent development. Annular clusters of Merkel cells first appear in the epidermis near the caudal margin of the mystacial region between embryonic days E14 and E15 at dome sites located on horizontal ridges where the primordial vibrissal follicles develop. The development of these cells progresses in a caudorostral sequence across the whisker pad as does the development of the vibrissal follicles. Each cluster eventually forms a conical ridge or collar of about 130 Merkel cells that surrounds the vibrissal hair shaft as it penetrates the overlying pad epidermis. In the vibrissae, which develop as downgrowths from the horizontal ridges at the dome sites, Merkel cells first appear (caudally) between E16 and E17 and form a cylindrical cuff within the outer root sheath; cells are added progressively until about the end of the first postnatal week when a plateau level of about 750-800 cells is reached. Following unilateral transection of the infraorbital nerve at 24-36 hr after birth, these vibrissal Merkel cells continued to develop along a time course that was indistinguishable from normal, at least over the first 2 weeks of postnatal life. In contrast, all or most of the Merkel cells that normally develop within collars or annular clusters in the pad epidermis (around both the vibrissal and intervibrissal or pelage hairs) either disappeared within a few days or failed to develop. Other light and electron microscopic procedures supported the main findings and confirmed that the denervation was successful. Thus, the vibrissal Merkel cells, like those in the glabrous hindpaw, behaved as a distinct class which develops postnatally and is maintained (at least over a 2-week period) without the presence of sensory nerves. Since both the mystacial vibrissae and glabrous hindpaw have specialized cortical representations, a possible relationship between these findings and the organization of the somatosensory cortex during development is discussed.