Serotonin and cholecystokinin activate different populations of rat mesenteric vagal afferents

Mechanisms of gas sensing by internal sensory neurons in Drosophila larvae

Internal sensory neurons monitor the chemical and physical state of the body, providing critical information to the central nervous system for maintaining homeostasis and survival. A population of larval Drosophila sensory neurons, tracheal dendrite (td) neurons, elaborate dendrites along respiratory organs and may serve as a model for elucidating the cellular and molecular basis of chemosensation by internal neurons. We find that td neurons respond to decreases in O2 levels and increases in CO2 levels. We assessed the roles of atypical soluble guanylyl cyclases (Gycs) and a gustatory receptor (Gr) in mediating these responses. We found that Gyc88E/Gyc89Db were necessary for responses to hypoxia, and that Gr28b was necessary for responses to CO2. Targeted expression of Gr28b isoform c in td neurons rescued responses to CO2 in mutant larvae and also induced ectopic sensitivity to CO2 in the td network. Gas-sensitive td neurons were activated when larvae burrowed for a prolonged duration, demonstrating a natural-like feeding condition in which td neurons are activated. Together, our work identifies two gaseous stimuli that are detected by partially overlapping subsets of internal sensory neurons, and establishes roles for Gyc88E/Gyc89Db in the detection of hypoxia, and Gr28b in the detection of CO2.

Butterflies in the gut: the interplay between intestinal microbiota and stress

Psychological stress is a global issue that affects at least one-third of the population worldwide and increases the risk of numerous psychiatric disorders. Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut and its inhabiting microbes may regulate stress and stress-associated behavioral abnormalities. Hence, the objective of this review is to explore the causal relationships between the gut microbiota, stress, and behavior. Dysbiosis of the microbiome after stress exposure indicated microbial adaption to stressors. Strikingly, the hyperactivated stress signaling found in microbiota-deficient rodents can be normalized by microbiota-based treatments, suggesting that gut microbiota can actively modify the stress response. Microbiota can regulate stress response via intestinal glucocorticoids or autonomic nervous system. Several studies suggest that gut bacteria are involved in the direct modulation of steroid synthesis and metabolism. This review provides recent discoveries on the pathways by which gut microbes affect stress signaling and brain circuits and ultimately impact the host's complex behavior.

Impact of auricular percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation on gut microbiome in adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome: A pilot study

OBJECTIVES

Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS) has documented efficacy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) via plausible vagal neuromodulation effects. The vagus nerve may affect gut microbiome composition via brain-gut-microbiome signaling. We aimed to investigate gut microbiome alterations by PENFS therapy in adolescent IBS patients.

METHODS

A prospective study of females with IBS aged 11-18 years receiving PENFS therapy for 4 weeks with pre- and post-intervention stool sampling was conducted. Outcome surveys completed pre-therapy, weekly, and post-therapy included IBS-Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS), Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI), Functional Disability Inventory (FDI), and the global symptom response scale (SRS). Bacterial DNA was extracted from stool samples followed by 16S rRNA amplification and sequencing. QIIME 2 (version 2022.2) was used for analyses of α and β diversity and differential abundance by group.

RESULTS

Twenty females aged 15.6 ± 1.62 years were included. IBS-SSS, VSI, and FDI scores decreased significantly after PENFS therapy (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0003, P = 0.0004, respectively). No intra- or interindividual microbiome changes were noted pre- versus post-therapy or between responders and non-responders. When response was defined by 50-point IBS-SSS score reduction, α diversity was higher in responders compared with non-responders at week 4 (P = 0.033). There was higher abundance of Blautia in excellent responders versus non-responders.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no substantial microbial diversity alterations with PENFS. Subjects with excellent therapeutic response showed an enrichment of relative abundance of Blautia, which may indicate that patients with specific microbial signature have a more favorable response to PENFS.

The gut-to-brain axis for toxin-induced defensive responses

After ingestion of toxin-contaminated food, the brain initiates a series of defensive responses (e.g., nausea, retching, and vomiting). How the brain detects ingested toxin and coordinates diverse defensive responses remains poorly understood. Here, we developed a mouse-based paradigm to study defensive responses induced by bacterial toxins. Using this paradigm, we identified a set of molecularly defined gut-to-brain and brain circuits that jointly mediate toxin-induced defensive responses. The gut-to-brain circuit consists of a subset of Htr3a+ vagal sensory neurons that transmit toxin-related signals from intestinal enterochromaffin cells to Tac1+ neurons in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC). Tac1+ DVC neurons drive retching-like behavior and conditioned flavor avoidance via divergent projections to the rostral ventral respiratory group and lateral parabrachial nucleus, respectively. Manipulating these circuits also interferes with defensive responses induced by the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. These results suggest that food poisoning and chemotherapy recruit similar circuit modules to initiate defensive responses.

Altered Vagal Signaling and Its Pathophysiological Roles in Functional Dyspepsia

The vagus nerve is crucial in the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain. It is involved in the modulation of a variety of gut and brain functions. Human studies indicate that the descending vagal signaling from the brain is impaired in functional dyspepsia. Growing evidence indicate that the vagal signaling from gut to brain may also be altered, due to the alteration of a variety of gut signals identified in this disorder. The pathophysiological roles of vagal signaling in functional dyspepsia is still largely unknown, although some studies suggested it may contribute to reduced food intake and gastric motility, increased psychological disorders and pain sensation, nausea and vomiting. Understanding the alteration in vagal signaling and its pathophysiological roles in functional dyspepsia may provide information for new potential therapeutic treatments of this disorder. In this review, we summarize and speculate possible alterations in vagal gut-to-brain and brain-to-gut signaling and the potential pathophysiological roles in functional dyspepsia.

Role of the gut-brain axis in energy and glucose metabolism

The gastrointestinal tract plays a role in the development and treatment of metabolic diseases. During a meal, the gut provides crucial information to the brain regarding incoming nutrients to allow proper maintenance of energy and glucose homeostasis. This gut-brain communication is regulated by various peptides or hormones that are secreted from the gut in response to nutrients; these signaling molecules can enter the circulation and act directly on the brain, or they can act indirectly via paracrine action on local vagal and spinal afferent neurons that innervate the gut. In addition, the enteric nervous system can act as a relay from the gut to the brain. The current review will outline the different gut-brain signaling mechanisms that contribute to metabolic homeostasis, highlighting the recent advances in understanding these complex hormonal and neural pathways. Furthermore, the impact of the gut microbiota on various components of the gut-brain axis that regulates energy and glucose homeostasis will be discussed. A better understanding of the gut-brain axis and its complex relationship with the gut microbiome is crucial for the development of successful pharmacological therapies to combat obesity and diabetes.

Identification of SSRI-evoked antidepressant sensory signals by decoding vagus nerve activity

The vagus nerve relays mood-altering signals originating in the gut lumen to the brain. In mice, an intact vagus is required to mediate the behavioural effects of both intraluminally applied selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and a strain of Lactobacillus with antidepressant-like activity. Similarly, the prodepressant effect of lipopolysaccharide is vagus nerve dependent. Single vagal fibres are broadly tuned to respond by excitation to both anti- and prodepressant agents, but it remains unclear how neural responses encode behaviour-specific information. Here we demonstrate using ex vivo experiments that for single vagal fibres within the mesenteric neurovascular bundle supplying the mouse small intestine, a unique neural firing pattern code is common to both chemical and bacterial vagus-dependent antidepressant luminal stimuli. This code is qualitatively and statistically discernible from that evoked by lipopolysaccharide, a non-vagus-dependent antidepressant or control non-antidepressant Lactobacillus strain and are not affected by sex status. We found that all vagus dependent antidepressants evoked a decrease in mean spike interval, increase in spike burst duration, decrease in gap duration between bursts and increase in intra-burst spike intervals. Our results offer a novel neuronal electrical perspective as one explanation for mechanisms of action of gut-derived vagal dependent antidepressants. We expect that our ex vivo individual vagal fibre recording model will improve the design and operation of new, extant electroceutical vagal stimulation devices currently used to treat major depression. Furthermore, use of this vagal antidepressant code should provide a valuable screening tool for novel potential oral antidepressant candidates in preclinical animal models.

Vagus nerve stimulation in brain diseases: Therapeutic applications and biological mechanisms

Brain diseases, including neurodegenerative, cerebrovascular and neuropsychiatric diseases, have posed a deleterious threat to human health and brought a great burden to society and the healthcare system. With the development of medical technology, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an alternative treatment for refractory epilepsy, refractory depression, cluster headaches, and migraines. Furthermore, current evidence showed promising results towards the treatment of more brain diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and stroke. Nonetheless, the biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of VNS in brain diseases remain only partially elucidated. This review aims to delve into the relevant preclinical and clinical studies and update the progress of VNS applications and its potential mechanisms underlying the biological effects in brain diseases.

The critical role of CCK in the regulation of food intake and diet-induced obesity

In 1973, Gibbs, Young, and Smith showed that exogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) administration reduces food intake in rats. This initial report has led to thousands of studies investigating the physiological role of CCK in regulating feeding behavior. CCK is released from enteroendocrine I cells present along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. CCK binding to its receptor CCK1R leads to vagal afferent activation providing post-ingestive feedback to the hindbrain. Vagal afferent neurons' (VAN) sensitivity to CCK is modulated by energy status while CCK signaling regulates gene expression of other feeding related signals and receptors expressed by VAN. In addition to its satiation effects, CCK acts all along the GI tract to optimize digestion and nutrient absorption. Diet-induced obesity (DIO) is characterized by reduced sensitivity to CCK and every part of the CCK system is negatively affected by chronic intake of energy-dense foods. EEC have recently been shown to adapt to diet, CCK1R is affected by dietary fats consumption, and the VAN phenotypic flexibility is lost in DIO. Altered endocannabinoid tone, changes in gut microbiota composition, and chronic inflammation are currently being explored as potential mechanisms for diet driven loss in CCK signaling. This review discusses our current understanding of how CCK controls food intake in conditions of leanness and how control is lost in chronic energy excess and obesity, potentially perpetuating excessive intake.

Squalamine Restores the Function of the Enteric Nervous System in Mouse Models of Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder thought to be caused by accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) within the brain, autonomic nerves, and the enteric nervous system (ENS). Involvement of the ENS in PD often precedes the onset of the classic motor signs of PD by many years at a time when severe constipation represents a major morbidity. Studies conducted in vitro and in vivo, have shown that squalamine, a zwitterionic amphipathic aminosterol, originally isolated from the liver of the dogfish shark, effectively displaces membrane-bound α-syn.

OBJECTIVE

Here we explore the electrophysiological effect of squalamine on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of mouse models of PD engineered to express the highly aggregating A53T human α-syn mutant.

METHODS

GI motility and in vivo response to oral squalamine in PD model mice and controls were assessed using an in vitro tissue motility protocol and via fecal pellet output. Vagal afferent response to squalamine was measured using extracellular mesenteric nerve recordings from the jejunum. Whole cell patch clamp was performed to measure response to squalamine in the myenteric plexus.

RESULTS

Squalamine effectively restores disordered colonic motility in vivo and within minutes of local application to the bowel. We show that topical squalamine exposure to intrinsic primary afferent neurons (IPANs) of the ENS rapidly restores excitability.

CONCLUSION

These observations may help to explain how squalamine may promote gut propulsive activity through local effects on IPANs in the ENS, and further support its possible utility in the treatment of constipation in patients with PD.

Antidepressive Mechanisms of Probiotics and Their Therapeutic Potential

The accumulating knowledge of the host-microbiota interplay gives rise to the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. The MGB axis depicts the interkingdom communication between the gut microbiota and the brain. This communication process involves the endocrine, immune and neurotransmitters systems. Dysfunction of these systems, along with the presence of gut dysbiosis, have been detected among clinically depressed patients. This implicates the involvement of a maladaptive MGB axis in the pathophysiology of depression. Depression refers to symptoms that characterize major depressive disorder (MDD), a mood disorder with a disease burden that rivals that of heart diseases. The use of probiotics to treat depression has gained attention in recent years, as evidenced by increasing numbers of animal and human studies that have supported the antidepressive efficacy of probiotics. Physiological changes observed in these studies allow for the elucidation of probiotics antidepressive mechanisms, which ultimately aim to restore proper functioning of the MGB axis. However, the understanding of mechanisms does not yet complete the endeavor in applying probiotics to treat MDD. Other challenges remain which include the heterogeneous nature of both the gut microbiota composition and depressive symptoms in the clinical setting. Nevertheless, probiotics offer some advantages over standard pharmaceutical antidepressants, in terms of residual symptoms, side effects and stigma involved. This review outlines antidepressive mechanisms of probiotics based on the currently available literature and discusses therapeutic potentials of probiotics for depression.

Identification of Cinnamaldehyde as Most Effective Fatty Acid Uptake Reducing Cinnamon-Derived Compound in Differentiated Caco-2 Cells Compared to Its Structural Analogues Cinnamyl Alcohol, Cinnamic Acid, and Cinnamyl Isobutyrate

Naturally occurring cinnamon compounds such as cinnamaldehyde (CAL) and structurally related constituents have been associated with antiobesity activities, although studies regarding the impact on intestinal fatty acid uptake are scarce. Here, we demonstrate the effects of CAL and structural analogues cinnamyl alcohol (CALC), cinnamic acid (CAC), and cinnamyl isobutyrate on mechanisms regulating intestinal fatty acid uptake in differentiated Caco-2 cells. CAL, CALC, and CAC (3000 μM) were found to decrease fatty acid uptake by 58.0 ± 8.83, 19.4 ± 8.98, and 21.9 ± 6.55%, respectively. While CAL and CALC at a concentration of 300 μM increased serotonin release 14.9 ± 3.00- and 2.72 ± 0.69-fold, respectively, serotonin alone showed no effect on fatty acid uptake. However, CAL revealed transient receptor potential channel A1-dependency in the decrease of fatty acid uptake, as well as in CAL-induced serotonin release. Overall, CAL was identified as the most potent of the cinnamon constituents tested.

Colonic Motility and Jejunal Vagal Afferent Firing Rates Are Decreased in Aged Adult Male Mice and Can Be Restored by an Aminosterol

There is a general decline in gastrointestinal function in old age including decreased intestinal motility, sensory signaling, and afferent sensitivity. There is also increased prevalence of significant constipation in aged populations. We hypothesized this may be linked to reduced colonic motility and alterations in vagal-gut-brain sensory signaling. Using in vitro preparations from young (3 months) and old (18–24 months) male CD1 mice we report functional age-related differences in colonic motility and jejunal mesenteric afferent firing. Furthermore, we tested the effect of the aminosterol squalamine on colonic motility and jejunal vagal firing rate. Old mice had significantly reduced velocity of colonic migrating motor complexes (MMC) by 27% compared to young mice (p = 0.0161). Intraluminal squalamine increased colonic MMC velocity by 31% in old mice (p = 0.0150), which also had significantly reduced mesenteric afferent single-unit firing rates from the jejunum by 51% (p < 0.0001). The jejunal vagal afferent firing rate was reduced in aged mice by 62% (p = 0.0004). While the time to peak response to squalamine was longer in old mice compared to young mice (18.82 ± 1.37 min vs. 12.95 ± 0.99 min; p = 0.0182), it significantly increased vagal afferent firing rate by 36 and 56% in young and old mice, respectively (p = 0.0006, p = 0.0013). Our results show for the first time that the jejunal vagal afferent firing rate is reduced in aged-mice. They also suggest that there is translational potential for the therapeutic use of squalamine in the treatment of age-related constipation and dysmotility.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase-derived nitric oxide reduces vagal satiety signalling in obese mice

KEY POINTS

Obesity is associated with disrupted satiety regulation. Mice with diet-induced obesity have reduced vagal afferent neuronal excitability and a decreased afferent response to satiety signals. A low grade inflammation occurs in obesity with increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Inhibition of iNOS in diet-induced obese mice restored vagal afferent neuronal excitability, increased the afferent response to satiety mediators and distention of the gut, and reduced short-term energy intake. A prolonged inhibition of iNOS reduced energy intake and body weight gain during the first week, and reduced amounts of epididymal fat after 3 weeks. We identified a novel pathway underlying disrupted satiety regulation in obesity. Blocking of this pathway might be clinically useful for the management of obesity.

ABSTRACT

Vagal afferents regulate feeding by transmitting satiety signals to the brain. Mice with diet-induced obesity have reduced vagal afferent sensitivity to satiety signals. We investigated whether inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-derived NO contributed to this reduction. C57BL/6J mice were fed a high- or low-fat diet for 6-8 weeks. Nodose ganglia and jejunum were analysed by immunoblotting for iNOS expression; NO production was measured using a fluorometric assay. Nodose neuron excitability and intestinal afferent sensitivity were evaluated by whole-cell patch clamp and in vitro afferent recording, respectively. Expression of iNOS and production of NO were increased in nodose ganglia and the small intestine in obese mice. Inhibition of iNOS in obese mice by pre-treatment with an iNOS inhibitor increased nodose neuron excitability via 2-pore-domain K⁺ channel leak currents, restored afferent sensitivity to satiety signals and reduced short-term energy intake. Obese mice given the iNOS inhibitor daily for 3 weeks had reduced energy intake and decreased body weight gain during the first week, compared to mice given saline, and lower amounts of epididymal fat at the end of 3 weeks. Inhibition of iNOS or blocking the action of iNOS-derived NO on vagal afferent pathways might comprise therapeutic strategies for hyperphagia and obesity.

Gut microbiome and depression: what we know and what we need to know

Gut microbiome diversity has been strongly associated with mood-relating behaviours, including major depressive disorder (MDD). This association stems from the recently characterised bi-directional communication system between the gut and the brain, mediated by neuroimmune, neuroendocrine and sensory neural pathways. While the link between gut microbiome and depression is well supported by research, a major question needing to be addressed is the causality in the connection between the two, which will support the understanding of the role that the gut microbiota play in depression. In this article, we address this question by examining a theoretical ‘chronology’, reviewing the evidence supporting two possible sequences of events. First, we discuss that alterations in the gut microbiota populations of specific species might contribute to depression, and secondly, that depressive states might induce modification of specific gut microbiota species and eventually contribute to more severe depression. The feasibility of both sequences is supported by pre-clinical trials. For instance, research in rodents has shown an onset of depressive behaviour following faecal transplantations from patients with MDD. On the other hand, mental induction of stress and depressive behaviour in rodents resulted in reduced gut microbiota richness and diversity. Synthesis of these chronology dynamics raises important research directions to further understand the role that gut microbiota play in mood-relating behaviours, which holds substantial potential clinical outcomes for persons who experience MDD or related depressive disorders.

Profiling of G protein-coupled receptors in vagal afferents reveals novel gut-to-brain sensing mechanisms

OBJECTIVES

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) act as transmembrane molecular sensors of neurotransmitters, hormones, nutrients, and metabolites. Because unmyelinated vagal afferents richly innervate the gastrointestinal mucosa, gut-derived molecules may directly modulate the activity of vagal afferents through GPCRs. However, the types of GPCRs expressed in vagal afferents are largely unknown. Here, we determined the expression profile of all GPCRs expressed in vagal afferents of the mouse, with a special emphasis on those innervating the gastrointestinal tract.

METHODS

Using a combination of high-throughput quantitative PCR, RNA sequencing, and in situ hybridization, we systematically quantified GPCRs expressed in vagal unmyelinated Nav1.8-expressing afferents.

RESULTS

GPCRs for gut hormones that were the most enriched in Nav1.8-expressing vagal unmyelinated afferents included NTSR1, NPY2R, CCK1R, and to a lesser extent, GLP1R, but not GHSR and GIPR. Interestingly, both GLP1R and NPY2R were coexpressed with CCK1R. In contrast, NTSR1 was coexpressed with GPR65, a marker preferentially enriched in intestinal mucosal afferents. Only few microbiome-derived metabolite sensors such as GPR35 and, to a lesser extent, GPR119 and CaSR were identified in the Nav1.8-expressing vagal afferents. GPCRs involved in lipid sensing and inflammation (e.g. CB1R, CYSLTR2, PTGER4), and neurotransmitters signaling (CHRM4, DRD2, CRHR2) were also highly enriched in Nav1.8-expressing neurons. Finally, we identified 21 orphan GPCRs with unknown functions in vagal afferents.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study provides a comprehensive description of GPCR-dependent sensing mechanisms in vagal afferents, including novel coexpression patterns, and conceivably coaction of key receptors for gut-derived molecules involved in gut-brain communication.

Nav1.8 neurons are involved in limiting acute phase responses to dietary fat

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS

Metabolic viscera and their vasculature are richly innervated by peripheral sensory neurons. Here, we examined the metabolic and inflammatory profiles of mice with selective ablation of all Nav1.8-expressing primary afferent neurons.

RESULTS

While mice lacking sensory neurons displayed no differences in body weight, food intake, energy expenditure, or body composition compared to controls on chow diet, ablated mice developed an exaggerated inflammatory response to high-fat feeding characterized by bouts of weight loss, splenomegaly, elevated circulating interleukin-6 and hepatic serum amyloid A expression. This phenotype appeared to be directly mediated by the ingestion of saturated lipids.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that the Nav1.8-expressing afferent neurons are not essential for energy balance but are required for limiting the acute phase response caused by an obesogenic diet.

Nitric oxide donor protects against acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats via S-nitrosylation of TRPV1 on vagus nerve

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of nitric oxide (NO) in acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer of rats and the underlying mechanisms. We found that peritoneal injection of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, decreased the ulcer area, inflammatory cell infiltration and MPO degree in acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats. This effect was abolished by a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) antagonist or prior subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. SNP increased the jejunal mesenteric afferent discharge in a dose-depended manner, which was largely diminished by pretreatment of S-nitrosylation blocker N-ethylmaleimide, TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine, genetic deletion of TRPV1, or vagotomy. Whole-cell patch clamp recording showed that SNP depolarized the resting membrane potential of NG neurons, and enhanced capsaicin-induced inward current, which were both blocked by N-ethylmaleimide. Our results suggest that NO donor SNP alleviates acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats via vagus nerve, while S-nitrosylation of TRPV1 may participate in this route. Our findings reveal a new mechanism for vagal afferent activation, and a new potential anti-inflammatory target.

Cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor agonism reduces lithium chloride-induced vomiting in Suncus murinus and nausea-induced conditioned gaping in rats

We aimed to investigate the potential anti-emetic and anti-nausea properties of targeting the cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor. We investigated the effect of the selective CB2 agonist, HU-308, on lithium chloride- (LiCl) induced vomiting in Suncus murinus (S. murinus) and conditioned gaping (nausea-induced behaviour) in rats. Additionally, we determined whether these effects could be prevented by pretreatment with AM630 (a selective CB2 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist). In S. murinus, HU-308 (2.5, 5mg/kg, i.p.) reduced, but did not completely block, LiCl-induced vomiting; an effect that was prevented with AM630. In rats, HU-308 (5mg/kg, i.p.) suppressed, but did not completely block, LiCl-induced conditioned gaping to a flavour; an effect that was prevented by AM630. These findings are the first to demonstrate the ability of a selective CB2 receptor agonist to reduce nausea in animal models, indicating that targeting the CB2 receptor may be an effective strategy, devoid of psychoactive effects, for managing toxin-induced nausea and vomiting.

Sensory Neurons that Detect Stretch and Nutrients in the Digestive System

Neural inputs from internal organs are essential for normal autonomic function. The vagus nerve is a key body-brain connection that monitors the digestive, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Within the gastrointestinal tract, vagal sensory neurons detect gut hormones and organ distension. Here, we investigate the molecular diversity of vagal sensory neurons and their roles in sensing gastrointestinal inputs. Genetic approaches allowed targeted investigation of gut-to-brain afferents involved in homeostatic responses to ingested nutrients (GPR65 neurons) and mechanical distension of the stomach and intestine (GLP1R neurons). Optogenetics, in vivo ganglion imaging, and genetically guided anatomical mapping provide direct links between neuron identity, peripheral anatomy, central anatomy, conduction velocity, response properties in vitro and in vivo, and physiological function. These studies clarify the roles of vagal afferents in mediating particular gut hormone responses. Moreover, genetic control over gut-to-brain neurons provides a molecular framework for understanding neural control of gastrointestinal physiology.

The TRPV1 channel in rodents is a major target for antinociceptive effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938

Certain probiotic bacteria have been shown to reduce distension-dependent gut pain, but the mechanisms involved remain obscure. Live luminal Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) and its conditioned medium dose dependently reduced jejunal spinal nerve firing evoked by distension or capsaicin, and 80% of this response was blocked by a specific TRPV1 channel antagonist or in TRPV1 knockout mice. The specificity of DSM action on TRPV1 was further confirmed by its inhibition of capsaicin-induced intracellular calcium increases in dorsal root ganglion neurons. Another lactobacillus with ability to reduce gut pain did not modify this response. Prior feeding of rats with DSM inhibited the bradycardia induced by painful gastric distension. These results offer a system for the screening of new and improved candidate bacteria that may be useful as novel therapeutic adjuncts in gut pain. Certain bacteria exert visceral antinociceptive activity, but the mechanisms involved are not determined. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 was examined since it may be antinociceptive in children. Since transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel activity may mediate nociceptive signals, we hypothesized that TRPV1 current is inhibited by DSM. We tested this by examining the effect of DSM on the firing frequency of spinal nerve fibres in murine jejunal mesenteric nerve bundles following serosal application of capsaicin. We also measured the effects of DSM on capsaicin-evoked increase in intracellular Ca(2+) or ionic current in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Furthermore, we tested the in vivo antinociceptive effects of oral DSM on gastric distension in rats. Live DSM reduced the response of capsaicin- and distension-evoked firing of spinal nerve action potentials (238 ± 27.5% vs. 129 ± 17%). DSM also reduced the capsaicin-evoked TRPV1 ionic current in DRG neuronal primary culture from 83 ± 11% to 41 ± 8% of the initial response to capsaicin only. Another lactobacillus (Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1) with known visceral anti-nociceptive activity did not have these effects. DSM also inhibited capsaicin-evoked Ca(2+) increase in DRG neurons; an increase in Ca(2+) fluorescence intensity ratio of 2.36 ± 0.31 evoked by capsaicin was reduced to 1.25 ± 0.04. DSM releasable products (conditioned medium) mimicked DSM inhibition of capsaicin-evoked excitability. The TRPV1 antagonist 6-iodonordihydrocapsaicin or the use of TRPV1 knock-out mice revealed that TRPV1 channels mediate about 80% of the inhibitory effect of DSM on mesenteric nerve response to high intensity gut distension. Finally, feeding with DSM inhibited perception in rats of painful gastric distension. Our results identify a specific target channel for a probiotic with potential therapeutic properties.

Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system

Nausea and vomiting (emesis) are important elements in defensive or protective responses that animals use to avoid ingestion or digestion of potentially harmful substances. However, these neurally-mediated responses are at times manifested as symptoms of disease and they are frequently observed as side-effects of a variety of medications, notably those used to treat cancer. Cannabis has long been known to limit or prevent nausea and vomiting from a variety of causes. This has led to extensive investigations that have revealed an important role for cannabinoids and their receptors in the regulation of nausea and emesis. With the discovery of the endocannabinoid system, novel ways to regulate both nausea and vomiting have been discovered that involve the production of endogenous cannabinoids acting centrally. Here we review recent progress in understanding the regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system, and we discuss the potential to utilize the endocannabinoid system in the treatment of these frequently debilitating conditions.

Conditioned flavor avoidance and conditioned gaping: rat models of conditioned nausea

Although rats are incapable of vomiting, they demonstrate profound avoidance of a flavor previously paired with an emetic drug. They also display conditioned gaping reactions during re-exposure to the flavor. This robust learning occurs in a single trial and with long delays (hours) between consumption of a novel flavor and the emetic treatment. However, conditioned flavor avoidance learning is not a selective measure of the emetic properties of drugs, because non-emetic treatments (even highly rewarding treatments) produce conditioned avoidance, and anti-emetic treatments are generally ineffective in suppressing conditioned avoidance produced by an emetic drug. On the other hand, conditioned gaping reactions are consistently produced by emetic drugs and are prevented by anti-emetic drugs, indicating that they may be a more selective measure of conditioned malaise in rats. Here we review the literature on the use of conditioned flavor avoidance and conditioned gaping reactions as rat measures of conditioned nausea, as well as the neuropharmacology and neuroanatomy of conditioned gaping reactions in rats.

Serotonin signalling in the gut--functions, dysfunctions and therapeutic targets

Serotonin (5-HT) has been recognized for decades as an important signalling molecule in the gut, but it is still revealing its secrets. Novel gastrointestinal functions of 5-HT continue to be discovered, as well as distant actions of gut-derived 5-HT, and we are learning how 5-HT signalling is altered in gastrointestinal disorders. Conventional functions of 5-HT involving intrinsic reflexes include stimulation of propulsive and segmentation motility patterns, epithelial secretion and vasodilation. Activation of extrinsic vagal and spinal afferent fibres results in slowed gastric emptying, pancreatic secretion, satiation, pain and discomfort, as well as nausea and vomiting. Within the gut, 5-HT also exerts nonconventional actions such as promoting inflammation and serving as a trophic factor to promote the development and maintenance of neurons and interstitial cells of Cajal. Platelet 5-HT, originating in the gut, promotes haemostasis, influences bone development and serves many other functions. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and 5-HT4 receptor agonists have been used to treat functional disorders with diarrhoea or constipation, respectively, and the synthetic enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase has also been targeted. Emerging evidence suggests that exploiting epithelial targets with nonabsorbable serotonergic agents could provide safe and effective therapies. We provide an overview of these serotonergic actions and treatment strategies.

Extrinsic primary afferent signalling in the gut

Visceral sensory neurons activate reflex pathways that control gut function and also give rise to important sensations, such as fullness, bloating, nausea, discomfort, urgency and pain. Sensory neurons are organised into three distinct anatomical pathways to the central nervous system (vagal, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral). Although remarkable progress has been made in characterizing the roles of many ion channels, receptors and second messengers in visceral sensory neurons, the basic aim of understanding how many classes there are, and how they differ, has proven difficult to achieve. We suggest that just five structurally distinct types of sensory endings are present in the gut wall that account for essentially all of the primary afferent neurons in the three pathways. Each of these five major structural types of endings seems to show distinctive combinations of physiological responses. These types are: 'intraganglionic laminar' endings in myenteric ganglia; 'mucosal' endings located in the subepithelial layer; 'muscular-mucosal' afferents, with mechanosensitive endings close to the muscularis mucosae; 'intramuscular' endings, with endings within the smooth muscle layers; and 'vascular' afferents, with sensitive endings primarily on blood vessels. 'Silent' afferents might be a subset of inexcitable 'vascular' afferents, which can be switched on by inflammatory mediators. Extrinsic sensory neurons comprise an attractive focus for targeted therapeutic intervention in a range of gastrointestinal disorders.

Psychoactive bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus (JB-1) elicits rapid frequency facilitation in vagal afferents

Mounting evidence supports the influence of the gut microbiome on the local enteric nervous system and its effects on brain chemistry and relevant behavior. Vagal afferents are involved in some of these effects. We previously showed that ingestion of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus (JB-1) caused extensive neurochemical changes in the brain and behavior that were abrogated by prior vagotomy. Because information can be transmitted to the brain via primary afferents encoded as neuronal spike trains, our goal was to record those induced by JB-1 in vagal afferents in the mesenteric nerve bundle and thus determine the nature of the signals sent to the brain. Male Swiss Webster mice jejunal segments were cannulated ex vivo, and serosal and luminal compartments were perfused separately. Bacteria were added intraluminally. We found no evidence for translocation of labeled bacteria across the epithelium during the experiment. We recorded extracellular multi- and single-unit neuronal activity with glass suction pipettes. Within minutes of application, JB-1 increased the constitutive single- and multiunit firing rate of the mesenteric nerve bundle, but Lactobacillus salivarius (a negative control) or media alone were ineffective. JB-1 significantly augmented multiunit discharge responses to an intraluminal distension pressure of 31 hPa. Prior subdiaphragmatic vagotomy abolished all of the JB-1-evoked effects. This detailed exploration of the neuronal spike firing that encodes behavioral signaling to the brain may be useful to identify effective psychoactive bacteria and thereby offer an alternative new perspective in the field of psychiatry and comorbid conditions.

Roles of substance P and ATP in the subepithelial fibroblasts of rat intestinal villi

The ingestion of food and water induces chemical and mechanical signals that trigger peristaltic reflexes and also villous movement in the gut. In the intestinal villi, subepithelial fibroblasts under the epithelium form contractile cellular networks and closely contact to the varicosities of substance P and nonsubstance P afferent neurons. Subepithelial fibroblasts of the duodenal villi possess purinergic receptor P2Y1 and tachykinin receptor NK1. ATP and substance P induce increase in intracellular Ca(2+) and cell contraction in subepithelial fibroblasts. They are highly mechanosensitive and release ATP by mechanical stimuli. Released ATP spreads to form an ATP "cloud" with nearly 1μM concentration and activates the surroundings via P2Y1 and afferent neurons via P2X receptors. These findings suggest that villous subepithelial fibroblasts and afferent neurons interact via ATP and substance P. This mutual interaction may play important roles in the signal transduction of mechano reflex pathways including a coordinate villous movement and also in the maturation of the structure and function of the intestinal villi.

Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids

Considerable evidence demonstrates that manipulation of the endocannabinoid system regulates nausea and vomiting in humans and other animals. The anti-emetic effect of cannabinoids has been shown across a wide variety of animals that are capable of vomiting in response to a toxic challenge. CB(1) agonism suppresses vomiting, which is reversed by CB(1) antagonism, and CB(1) inverse agonism promotes vomiting. Recently, evidence from animal experiments suggests that cannabinoids may be especially useful in treating the more difficult to control symptoms of nausea and anticipatory nausea in chemotherapy patients, which are less well controlled by the currently available conventional pharmaceutical agents. Although rats and mice are incapable of vomiting, they display a distinctive conditioned gaping response when re-exposed to cues (flavours or contexts) paired with a nauseating treatment. Cannabinoid agonists (Δ(9) -THC, HU-210) and the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor, URB-597, suppress conditioned gaping reactions (nausea) in rats as they suppress vomiting in emetic species. Inverse agonists, but not neutral antagonists, of the CB(1) receptor promote nausea, and at subthreshold doses potentiate nausea produced by other toxins (LiCl). The primary non-psychoactive compound in cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD), also suppresses nausea and vomiting within a limited dose range. The anti-nausea/anti-emetic effects of CBD may be mediated by indirect activation of somatodendritic 5-HT(1A) receptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus; activation of these autoreceptors reduces the release of 5-HT in terminal forebrain regions. Preclinical research indicates that cannabinioids, including CBD, may be effective clinically for treating both nausea and vomiting produced by chemotherapy or other therapeutic treatments.

Impaired intestinal afferent nerve satiety signalling and vagal afferent excitability in diet induced obesity in the mouse

Gastrointestinal vagal afferents transmit satiety signals to the brain via both chemical and mechanical mechanisms. There is indirect evidence that these signals may be attenuated in obesity. We hypothesized that responses to satiety mediators and distension of the gut would be attenuated after induction of diet induced obesity. Obesity was induced by feeding a high fat diet (60% kcal from fat). Low fat fed mice (10% kcal from fat) served as a control. High fat fed mice were obese, with increased visceral fat, but were not hyperglycaemic. Recordings from jejunal afferents demonstrated attenuated responses to the satiety mediators cholecystokinin (CCK, 100 nm) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, 10 μm), as was the response to low intensity jejunal distension, while responses to higher distension pressures were preserved. We performed whole cell patch clamp recordings on nodose ganglion neurons, both unlabelled, and those labelled by fast blue injection into the wall of the jejunum. The cell membrane of both labelled and unlabelled nodose ganglion neurons was less excitable in HFF mice, with an elevated rheobase and decreased number of action potentials at twice rheobase. Input resistance of HFF neurons was also significantly decreased. Calcium imaging experiments revealed reduced proportion of nodose ganglion neurons responding to CCK and 5-HT in obese mice. These results demonstrate a marked reduction in afferent sensitivity to satiety related stimuli after a chronic high fat diet. A major mechanism underlying this change is reduced excitability of the neuronal cell membrane. This may explain the development of hyperphagia when a high fat diet is consumed. Improving sensitivity of gastrointestinal afferent nerves may prove useful to limit food intake in obesity.

Dorsal vagal preganglionic neurons: differential responses to CCK1 and 5-HT3 receptor stimulation

The dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) is the main source of the vagal innervation of the pancreas. Several studies in vitro have demonstrated that the DMV consists of a heterogeneous population of preganglionic neurons but little is known about their electrophysiological characteristics in vivo. The aims of this study were to (i) identify DMV preganglionic neurons in vivo with axons in the pancreatic vagus and (ii) characterize their responses to stimulation of cholecystokinin (CCK(1)) and serotonin (5-HT(3)) receptors which are major regulators of pancreatic secretion. Male Sprague Dawley rats anaesthetised with isoflurane (1.5%/100% O(2)) were used throughout. Dorsal vagal preganglionic neurons were identified by antidromic activation in response to stimulation of the pancreatic vagus. Dorsal vagal preganglionic neurons had axonal conduction velocities in the C-fibre range (0.7+/-0.03 m/s). Forty-four neurons were identified within the rostral, intermediate and caudal DMV and thirty-eight were tested for responsiveness to CCK-8S (CCK(1) agonist) and phenylbiguanide (PBG; 5-HT(3) receptor agonist). CCK-8S and PBG (0.1-10 microg/kg, i.v.) produced three types of response: (i) preganglionic neurons in the intermediate DMV were inhibited by CCK-8S (n=18) and PBG (n=10), (ii) neurons in the caudal DMV were activated by CCK (n=5) and PBG (n=2) and (iii) CCK-8S (n=9) and PBG (n=7) had no effect on preganglionic neurons in the rostral DMV. CCK-8S and PBG have complex actions on preganglionic neurons in the DMV that may be related to their effects on pancreatic secretion.

The vanilloid receptor TRPV1: role in cardiovascular and gastrointestinal protection

It has been shown that the transient receptor potential channel vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) is able to sense a vast range of stimuli and exerts multiple functions under physiological or pathophysiological conditions. TRPV1 not only plays a fundamental role in pain signaling but also involves in many other physiological or pathophysiological functions including the beneficial effects on cardiovascular and gastrointestinal function. It has been found that TRPV1 could be activated by endogenous ligands such as anandamide, N-arachidonoyl dopamine and N-oleoyldopamine or by exogenous agonists such as capsaicin and rutaecarpine. Since capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves (rich in TRPV1) are densely distributed in the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal system, activation of TRPV1 either by endogenous ligands or by exogenous agonists has been repeatedly reported to exert hypotensive effects or protective effects against cardiac or gastrointestinal injury through stimulating the synthesis and release of multiple neurotransmitters such as calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P. Therefore, TRPV1 is not only a prime target for the pharmacological control of pain but also a useful target for drug development to treat various diseases including cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. However, considering the contribution of TRPV1 to the development of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, the potential side effects of TRPV1 agonist cannot be neglected while in seeking and developing the novel TRPV1 agonists.

Intestinal nutrients elicit satiation through concomitant activation of CCK1 and 5-HT3 receptors

Previous studies demonstrate that cholecystokinin type-1 (CCK(1)) and serotonin type-3 (5-HT(3)) dependent pathways are independently involved in intestinal nutrient-induced meal termination. In the current study, we employed selective antagonists to investigate the relative contribution of CCK(1) and 5-HT(3) receptors in mediating the anorexia produced by duodenal infusion of Polycose or Intralipid in rats. Combined administration of 1 mg/kg ondansetron (Ond) and 1 mg/kg devazepide (Dev) reversed 132 mM Polycose-induced suppression to the level of control intake and significantly attenuated 263 mM Polycose-induced suppression greater than either antagonist alone. Similar results were observed when subthreshold doses of Ond (500 microg/kg) and Dev (5 microg/kg) were co-administered prior to 263 mM Polycose infusion. Suppression of intake resulting from 130 mM Intralipid was reversed to the level of control when Ond and Dev were co-administered at both independent effective doses (1 mg/kg each) and subthreshold doses (500 microg/kg and 5 microg/kg, respectively). Finally, combined administration of the antagonists increased sucrose intakes beyond intakes following control or treatment with either antagonist alone when rats were infused with saline. These data demonstrate that intestinal carbohydrates and lipids inhibit food intake through simultaneous CCK(1) and 5-HT(3) receptor activation and that these receptors appear to completely mediate the Intralipid-induced suppression of intake.

Recent advances in understanding the role of serotonin in gastrointestinal motility in functional bowel disorders: alterations in 5-HT signalling and metabolism in human disease

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is present in abundance within the gut, most stored in enterochromaffin cell granules. It is released by a range of stimuli, most potently by mucosal stroking. Released 5-HT stimulates local enteric nervous reflexes to initiate secretion and propulsive motility. It also acts on vagal afferents altering motility and in large amounts induces nausea. Rapid reuptake by a specific transporter (serotonin transporter, SERT) limits its diffusion and actions. Abnormally increased 5-HT is found in a range of gastrointestinal disorders including chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, carcinoid syndrome, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhoea (IBS-D), especially that developing following enteric infection. Impaired SERT has been described in IBS-D and might account for some of the increase in mucosal 5-HT availability. 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists inhibit chemotherapy-induced nausea and diarrhoea associated with both carcinoid syndrome and IBS. While IBS-D is associated with increased 5-HT postprandially, IBS with constipation (IBS-C) is associated with impaired 5-HT response and responds to 5-HT(4) agonists such as Prucalopride and 5-HT(4) partial agonists such as Tegaserod.

Activation of enteroendocrine cells via TLRs induces hormone, chemokine, and defensin secretion

Enteroendocrine cells are known primarily for their production of hormones that affect digestion, but they might also be implicated in sensing and neutralizing or expelling pathogens. We evaluate the expression of TLRs and the response to specific agonists in terms of cytokines, defensins, and hormones in enteroendocrine cells. The mouse enteroendocrine cell line STC-1 and C57BL/6 mice are used for in vitro and in vivo studies, respectively. The presence of TLR4, 5, and 9 is investigated by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence analyses. Activation of these receptors is studied evaluating keratinocyte-derived chemokine, defensins, and cholecystokinin production in response to their specific agonists. In this study, we show that the intestinal enteroendocrine cell line STC-1 expresses TLR4, 5, and 9 and releases cholecystokinin upon stimulation with the respective receptor agonists LPS, flagellin, and CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides. Release of keratinocyte-derived chemokine and beta-defensin 2 was also observed after stimulation of STC-1 cells with the three TLR agonists, but not with fatty acids. Consistent with these in vitro data, mice showed increased serum cholecystokinin levels after oral challenge with LPS, flagellin, or CpG oligodeoxynucleotides. In addition to their response to food stimuli, enteroendocrine cells sense the presence of bacterial Ags through TLRs and are involved in neutralizing intestinal bacteria by releasing chemokines and defensins, and maybe in removing them by releasing hormones such as cholecystokinin, which induces contraction of the muscular tunica, favoring the emptying of the distal small intestine.

Sensory transmission in the gastrointestinal tract

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract must balance ostensibly opposite functions. On the one hand, it must undertake the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients. At the same time, the GI tract must protect itself from potential harmful antigenic and pathogenic material. Central to these processes is the ability to 'sense' the mechanical and chemical environment in the gut wall and lumen in order to orchestrate the appropriate response that facilitates nutrient assimilation or the rapid expulsion through diarrhoea and/or vomiting. In this respect, the GI tract is richly endowed with sensory elements that monitor the gut environment. Enteric neurones provide one source of such sensory innervation and are responsible for the ability of the decentralized gut to perform complex reflex functions. Extrinsic afferents not only contribute to this reflex control, but also contribute to homeostatic mechanisms and can give rise to sensations, under certain circumstances. The enteric and extrinsic sensory mechanisms share a number of common features but also some remarkably different properties. The purpose of this review is to summarize current views on sensory processing within both the enteric and extrinsic innervation and to specifically address the pharmacology of nociceptive extrinsic sensory pathways.

Ghrelin augments afferent response to distension in rat isolated jejunum

Ghrelin has been shown to decrease firing of gastric vagal afferents at doses comparable with circulating levels in the fasted state. This raises the possibility that ghrelin may have a hormonal action on other vagal afferent populations. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ghrelin on jejunal afferent activity; including responses to distension, 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (2-methyl-5-HT) and cholecystokinin (CCK) in both naïve and vagotomized rats. Ghrelin significantly augmented the afferent response to distension. No effect was observed on baseline afferent discharge, or the response to 2-methyl-5-HT and CCK. The effect of ghrelin was more pronounced at lower ramp distending pressures (0-30 mmHg). Similarly, ghrelin augmented the jejunal afferent responses to phasic distension at 10-30 mmHg, but had no effect at higher pressures. Chronic subdiaphragmatic vagotomy and administration of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 prevented the augmentation of the afferent responses to distension indicating ghrelin is acting through the GHS-R on vagal afferent fibres. Ghrelin augments the mechanosensation of jejunal vagal afferents and hence may lead to increased perception of hunger contractions.

Conditioned gaping in rats: a selective measure of nausea

When intraorally infused with a flavored solution previously paired with an emetic drug, rats display a characteristic gaping reaction that reflects conditioned nausea in this species that is unable to vomit. The commonly used conditioned taste avoidance measure, is not a selective measure of nausea because nearly every drug tested (even rewarding drugs) is capable of producing a conditioned taste avoidance. In contrast, only emetic drugs produce conditioned gaping reactions in rats, and anti-emetic drugs interfere with the establishment and the expression of conditioned gaping reactions but do not interfere with conditioned taste avoidance. The conditioned gaping reaction can be used as a pre-clinical tool to evaluate the side effects of nausea that might result from newly developed pharmaceutical agents.

Modulation of vagal afferent excitation and reduction of food intake by leptin and cholecystokinin

The gut-peptide, cholecystokinin (CCK), reduces food intake by acting at CCK-1 receptors on vagal afferent neurons, whereas the feeding effects of the adipokine hormone, leptin, are associated primarily with its action on receptors (ObRb) in the hypothalamus. Recently, however, ObRb mRNA has been reported in vagal afferent neurons, some of which also express CCK-1 receptor, suggesting that leptin, alone or in cooperation with CCK, might activate vagal afferent neurons, and influence food intake via a vagal route. To evaluate these possibilities we have been examining the cellular and behavioral effects of leptin and CCK on vagal afferent neurons. In cultured vagal afferent neurons leptin and CCK evoked short latency, transient depolarizations, often leading to action potentials, and increases in cytosolic calcium. There was a much higher prevalence of CCK and leptin sensitivity amongst cultured vagal afferent neurons that innervate stomach or duodenum than there was in the overall vagal afferent population. Furthermore, almost all leptin-responsive gastric and duodenal vagal afferents also were sensitive to CCK. Leptin, infused into the upper GI tract arterial supply, reduced meal size, and enhanced satiation evoked by CCK. These results indicate that vagal afferent neurons are activated by leptin, and that this activation is likely to participate in meal termination, perhaps by enhancing vagal sensitivity to CCK. Our findings are consistent with the view that leptin and CCK exert their influence on food intake by accessing multiple neural systems (viscerosensory, motivational, affective and motor) at multiple points along the neuroaxis.

Gastric distension enhances CCK-induced Fos-like immunoreactivity in the dorsal hindbrain by activating 5-HT3 receptors

The combination of gastric distension and cholecystokinin (CCK) enhances both suppression of food intake and induction of c-Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC). Previously, we have shown that serotonin type-3 (5-HT3) receptor mediation of suppression of food intake by CCK requires gastric participation. Therefore, we hypothesized that 5-HT3 receptors mediate CCK-induced Fos-LI in the dorsal hindbrain through a mechanism that involves gastric distension. To test this hypothesis, we counted Fos-LI in the DVC of ondansetron (1 mg/kg; 5-HT3 receptor antagonist) and vehicle-treated rats following gastric balloon distension (5 ml), CCK (1 microg/kg) administration, or CCK combined with gastric distension. Ondansetron administration attenuated DVC Fos-LI by CCK administration. Likewise, ondansetron attenuated Fos-LI by gastric distension in the DVC, specifically within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and area postrema (AP) nuclei. The most pronounced attenuation of distension-induced Fos-LI by ondansetron occurred in the NTS, particularly in the medial and intermedial NTS. When combined, CCK and gastric distension enhanced Fos-LI in the DVC greater than each treatment alone. Furthermore, ondansetron administration attenuated the overall DVC enhanced Fos-LI induced by CCK + gastric distension, in particular at the NTS and AP nuclei. We found that, within the mid-to-caudal regions of the NTS and AP, 5-HT3 receptors most significantly mediate neuronal activation by CCK + distension. In conjunction with previous behavioral data, these results show that gastric distension enhances CCK-induced neuronal activation in the DVC by activating 5-HT3 receptors.

Effects of ergotamine and ergovaline on the electromyographic activity of smooth muscle of the reticulum and rumen of sheep

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of IV administration of ergotamine and ergovaline and intraruminal administration of ergotamine on electromyographic (EMG) activity of reticuloruminal smooth muscle in conscious sheep.

ANIMALS

3 sheep with indwelling electrodes in the musculature of the reticulum and rumen.

PROCEDURE

In a crossover design study, reticuloruminal motility before and after IV administration of ergotamine (5, 10, 20, and 40 nmol/kg) or ergovaline (2.5, 5, and 10 nmol/kg) was evaluated; EMG effects were compared with those of corresponding control treatments (IV administration of saline [0.9% NaCl] solution or acetone, respectively) in sheep. Ergotamine (800 nmol/kg) or water was also administered intraruminally and their effects compared.

RESULTS

After IV administration of ergopeptides, vagally dependent cyclical A and B sequences of contraction of the reticulorumen were immediately inhibited, preceding increases in baseline EMG activity (tonus). The return of cyclical contractions was associated with an increase in contraction amplitude. The effects were dose dependent; administration of 40 nmol of ergotamine/kg resulted in responses that continued for 3 to 4 hours. The effects of intraruminal administration of ergotamine were variable; after 8 hours, EMG activity was increased from baseline for < 2 hours in 1 sheep, 10 hours in another, and > 15 hours in the third.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

In sheep, the effects of ergotamine and ergovaline on reticuloruminal motility after IV administration and the duration of responses following intraruminal administration suggest that disruption of digestion may occur in animals grazing endophyte-infected pasture that has a high ergopeptide content.

Peripheral interaction of ghrelin with cholecystokinin on feeding regulation

Ghrelin and cholecystokinin (CCK) are gastrointestinal hormones regulating feeding. Both transmitted via the vagal afferent, ghrelin elicits starvation signals, whereas CCK induces satiety signals. We investigated the interaction between ghrelin and CCK functioning in short-term regulation of feeding in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats, which have a disrupted CCK type A receptor (CCK-AR), and their lean littermates, Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. Intravenous administration of ghrelin increased 2-h food intake in both OLETF and LETO rats. Because OLETF rats are CCK insensitive, iv-administered CCK decreased 2-h food intake in LETO, but not in OLETF, rats. Although preadministration of CCK to LETO rats blocked food intake induced by ghrelin, CCK preadministration to OLETF rats did not affect ghrelin-induced food intake. Conversely, preadministration of ghrelin to LETO rats blocked feeding reductions induced by CCK. In electrophysiological studies, once gastric vagal afferent discharges were altered by ghrelin or CCK administration, they could not be additionally affected by serial administrations of either CCK or ghrelin, respectively. The induction of Fos expression in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus by ghrelin was also attenuated by CCK preadministration. Using immunohistochemistry, we also demonstrated the colocalization of GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), the cellular receptor for ghrelin, with CCK-AR in vagal afferent neurons. These results indicate that the vagus nerve plays a crucial role in determining peripheral energy balance. The efficiency of ghrelin and CCK signal transduction may depend on the balance of their respective plasma concentration and/or on interactions between GHS-R and CCK-AR.

Portal 5-hydroxytryptophan infusion enhances glucose disposal in conscious dogs

Intraportal serotonin infusion enhances net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU) during glucose infusion but blunts nonhepatic glucose uptake and can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea at high doses. Whether the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) could enhance NHGU without gastrointestinal side effects during glucose infusion was examined in conscious 42-h-fasted dogs, using arteriovenous difference and tracer ([3-3H]glucose) techniques. Experiments consisted of equilibration (-120 to -30 min), basal (-30 to 0 min), and experimental (EXP; 0-270 min) periods. During EXP, somatostatin, fourfold basal intraportal insulin, basal intraportal glucagon, and peripheral glucose (to double the hepatic glucose load) were infused. In one group of dogs (HTP, n = 6), saline was infused intraportally from 0 to 90 min (P1), and 5-HTP was infused intraportally at 10, 20, and 40 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) from 90 to 150 (P2), 150 to 210 (P3), and 210 to 270 (P4) min, respectively. In the other group (SAL, n = 7), saline was infused intraportally from 0 to 270 min. NHGU in SAL was 14.8 +/- 1.9, 18.5 +/- 2.3, 16.3 +/- 1.4, and 19.7 +/- 1.6 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) in P1-P4, whereas NHGU in 5-HTP averaged 16.4 +/- 2.6, 18.5 +/- 1.4, 20.8 +/- 2.0, and 27.6 +/- 2.6 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) (P < 0.05 vs. SAL). Nonhepatic glucose uptake (micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1)) in SAL was 30.2 +/- 4.3, 36.8 +/- 5.8, 44.3 +/- 5.8, and 54.6 +/- 11.8 during P1-P4, respectively, whereas in HTP the corresponding values were 26.3 +/- 6.8, 44.9 +/- 10.1, 47.5 +/- 11.7, and 51.4 +/- 13.2 (not significant between groups). Intraportal 5-HTP enhances NHGU without significantly altering nonhepatic glucose uptake or causing gastrointestinal side effects, raising the possibility that a related agent might have a role in reducing postprandial hyperglycemia.

The role of the vanilloid (capsaicin) receptor (TRPV1) in physiology and pathology

The cloning of the vanilloid receptor 1 opened a floodgate for discoveries regarding the function of this complex molecule. It has been found that, in addition to heat, protons and vanilloids, this receptor also responds to various endogenous ligands. Furthermore, it has been also emerged that, through associations with other molecules, the vanilloid receptor 1 plays an important role in the integration of various stimuli and modulation of cellular excitability. Although, originally, the vanilloid receptor 1 was associated with nociceptive primary afferent fibres, it has been gradually revealed that it is broadly expressed in the brain, epidermis and visceral cells. The expression pattern of the vanilloid receptor 1 indicates that it could be involved in various physiological functions and in the pathomechanisms of diverse diseases. Here, we summarise the molecular, pharmacological and physiological characteristics, and putative functions, of the vanilloid receptor 1, and discuss the therapeutic potential of this molecule.

CCK-induced inhibition of presympathetic vasomotor neurons: dependence on subdiaphragmatic vagal afferents and central NMDA receptors in the rat

Systemic administration of cholecystokinin (CCK) inhibits a subpopulation of rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) presympathetic vasomotor neurons. This study was designed to determine whether this effect involved subdiaphragmatic vagal afferents and/or central N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. Recordings were made from CCK-sensitive RVLM presympathetic vasomotor neurons in halothane-anesthetized, paralyzed male Sprague-Dawley rats. The responses of the neurons to CCK (2 and 4 μg/kg iv), phenylephrine (PE; 5 μg/kg iv), and phenylbiguanide (PBG; 5 μg/kg iv) were tested before and after application of the local anesthetic lidocaine (2% wt/vol gel; 1 ml) to the subdiaphragmatic vagi at the level of the esophagus. In seven separate experiments, lidocaine markedly reduced the inhibitory effects of CCK on RVLM presympathetic neuronal discharge rate. In other experiments, the effect of systemic administration of dizocilpine (1 mg/kg iv), a noncompetitive antagonist at NMDA receptor ion channels, on the RVLM presympathetic neuronal responses to CCK, PBG, and PE was tested. In all cases ( n = 6 neurons in 6 individual rats), dizocilpine inhibited the effects of CCK, PBG, and PE on RVLM presympathetic neuronal discharge. These results suggest that the effects of systemic CCK on the discharge of RVLM presympathetic neurons is mediated via an action on receptors located on subdiaphragmatic vagal afferents. Furthermore, the data suggest that CCK activates a central pathway involving NMDA receptors to produce inhibition of RVLM presympathetic neuronal discharge.

Serotonin and cholecystokinin synergistically stimulate rat vagal primary afferent neurones

Recent studies indicate that cholecystokinin (CCK) and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) act via vagal afferent fibres to mediate gastrointestinal functions. In the present study, we characterized the interaction between CCK and 5-HT in the vagal primary afferent neurones. Single neuronal discharges of vagal primary afferent neurones innervating the duodenum were recorded from rat nodose ganglia. Two groups of nodose ganglia neurones were identified: group A neurones responded to intra-arterial injection of low doses of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8; 10-60 pmol); group B neurones responded only to high doses of CCK-8 (120-240 pmol), and were also activated by duodenal distention. CCK-JMV-180, which acts as an agonist in high-affinity states and as an antagonist in low-affinity states, dose dependently stimulated group A neurones, but inhibited the effect of the high doses of CCK-8 on group B neurones. Duodenal perfusion of 5-HT evoked dose-dependent increases in nodose neuronal discharges. Some neurones that responded to 5-HT showed no response to either high or low doses of CCK-8. A separate group of nodose neurones that possessed high-affinity CCK type A (CCK-A) receptors also responded to luminal infusion of 5-HT. Further, a subthreshold dose of CCK-8 (i.e. 5 pmol) produced no measurable electrophysiological effects but it augmented the neuronal responses to 5-HT. This potentiation effect of CCK-8 was eliminated by CR 1409. From these results we concluded that the vagal nodose ganglion contains neurones that may possess only high- or low-affinity CCK-A receptors or 5-HT3 receptors. Some neurones that express high-affinity CCK-A receptors also express 5-HT3 receptors. Pre-exposure to luminal 5-HT may augment the subsequent response to a subthreshold dose of CCK.