Bombesin Immunoreactivity in the stomach and small intestine of alloxan-diabetics Sprague Dawley rats.

ABSTRACT

Bombesin is a neuroendocrine peptide found in the submucosal nerve endings in the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. It is reported to stimulate the release of gastrointestinal hormones, control satiety, stimulate gastrointestinal motility, and also stimulate cellular proliferation which results in wound healing. Transient increases in bombesin concentration in the brain and serum (later followed by decrease in serum concentrations) have been reported in hyperglycemic states. The aim of this investigation is to determine the effect of hyperglycemia on bombesin secreting neurons in the submucosa of the GIT and the possible contribution of such changes to some diabetic complications. Result showed decreased immunoreactivity to bombesin in the sub mucosal neurons of the stomach and small intestine of alloxan-diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats. We conclude that the reduced immunoreactivity of bombesin in these submucosal neurons, may contribute to the reduced paracrine-induced peristalsis, observed in diabetics. It may also contribute to poor wounds healing in diabetics.