Santosh V. Coutinho

CRF2 receptor activation prevents colorectal distension induced visceral pain and spinal ERK1/2 phosphorylation in rats

Background and aims: Activation of corticotropin releasing factor 1 (CRF1) receptors is involved in stress related responses and visceral pain, while activation of CRF2 receptors dampens the endocrine and some behavioural stress responses. We hypothesised that CRF2 receptor activation may influence visceral pain induced by colorectal distension (CRD) in conscious rats, and assessed the possible sites and mechanisms of action. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to CRDs (60 mm Hg, 10 minutes twice, with a 10 minute rest interval). Visceromotor responses (VMR) were measured by electromyography or visual observation. Spinal (L6–S1) extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) activation following in vivo CRD and CRF2 receptor gene expression in the T13–S1 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord were determined. Inferior splanchnic afferent (ISA) activity to CRD (0.4 ml, 20 seconds) was assessed by electrophysiological recording in an in vitro ISA nerve-inferior mesenteric artery (intra-arterial)-colorectal preparation. Results: In controls, VMR to the second CRD was mean 31 (SEM 4)% higher than that of the first (p<0.05). The selective CRF2 agonist, human urocortin 2 (hUcn 2, at 10 and 20 μg/kg), injected intravenous after the first distension, prevented sensitisation and reduced the second response by 8 (1)% and 30 (5)% (p<0.05) compared with the first response, respectively. RT-PCR detected CRF2 receptor gene expression in the DRG and spinal cord. CRD (60 mm Hg for 10 minutes) induced phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in neurones of lumbosacral laminae I and IIo and the response was dampened by intravenous hUcn 2. CRD, in vitro, induced robust ISA spike activity that was dose dependently blunted by hUcn 2 (1–3 μg, intra-arterially). The CRF2 receptor antagonist, astressin2-B (200 μg/kg subcutaneously or 20 μg intra-arterially) blocked the hUcn 2 inhibitory effects in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: Peripheral injection of hUcn 2 blunts CRD induced visceral pain, colonic afferent, and spinal L6-S1 ERK 1/2 activity through CRF2 receptor activation in rats.

Neonatal maternal separation results in stress-induced visceral hyperalgesia in adult rats: A new model for IBS

Visceral hyperalgesia and allodynia, somatic normolhypoalgesia, and autonomic dysregulation of the gut are the hallmarks of irritable bowel syndrome (lBS). The pathophysiology of IBS remains unclear, due in large part to the lack of an analogous animal model. However, it has been the MMC cycle (first MMC 104.11 (6.9) min, second MMC 114.7 (8.6)min) was observed. Nor did bile infusion have an effect on the start of the next phase III (90.9 (8.6) min vs 75.7 (6.8) min, p=ns). Bile infusion did not affect the origin of the phase III (antral:duodenaI4:3 after bile, 5:2 after saline). 10 em distal to the infusion port (03) a significant higher frequency of contractions (1.1 (0.7) vs 0.5 (0.8), p=O.012) and a higher motility index (6.8 (l) vs 4.4 (1.3), p=0.OO7) was observed after bile infusion. This effect was not present at 20 em (04). No increase in motor activity was observed after saline infusion. There was no significant variation in CCK plasma levels before vs after bile infusion (0.25 (0.24) vs 0.62 (0.5) pmol/l). Conclusion: The increase in motor activity observed after infusion seems to be a local effect of exposition to bile of the duodenal wall. Infusion of bile did not affect the timing of the MMC. It is therefore unlikely that intraduodenal bile plays a mayor role in the initiation of phase III of the MMC.