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Costa M, Hibberd TJ, Keightley LJ, Wiklendt L, Kyloh MA, Dinning PG, Brookes SJH, Spencer NJ. Novel intrinsic neurogenic and myogenic mechanisms underlying the formation of faecal pellets along the large intestine of guinea-pigs. J Physiol 2021; 599:4561-4579. [PMID: 34418078 DOI: 10.1113/jp282069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Soft faecal material is transformed into discrete, pellet-shaped faeces at the colonic flexure. Here, analysis of water content in natural faecal material revealed a decline from cecum to rectum without significant changes at the flexure. Thus, pellet formation is not explained by changes in viscosity alone. We then used video imaging of colonic wall movements with electromyography in isolated preparations containing guinea-pig proximal colon, colonic flexure and distal colon. To investigate the pellet formation process, the colonic segments were infused with artificial contents (Krebs solution and 4-6% methylcellulose) to simulate physiological faecal content flow. Remarkably, pellet formation took place in vitro, without extrinsic neural inputs. Infusion evoked slowly propagating neurogenic contractions, the proximal colon migrating motor complexes (∼0.6 cpm), which initiated pellet formation at the flexure. Lesion of the flexure, but not the proximal colon, disrupted the formation of normal individual pellets. In addition, a distinct myogenic mechanism was identified, whereby slow phasic contractions (∼1.9 cpm) initiated at the flexure and propagated short distances retrogradely into the proximal colon and antegradely into the distal colon. There were no detectable changes in the density or distribution of pacemaker-type interstitial cells of Cajal across the flexure. The findings provide new insights into how solid faecal content is generated, suggesting the major mechanisms underlying faecal pellet formation involve the unique interaction at the colonic flexure between antegrade proximal colon migrating motor complexes, organized by enteric neurons, and retrograde myogenic slow phasic contractions. Additional, as yet unidentified extrinsic and/or humoral influences appear to contribute to processing of faecal content in vivo. KEY POINTS: In herbivores, including guinea-pigs, clearly defined faecal pellets are formed at a distinct location along the large intestine (colonic flexure). The mechanism underlying the formation of these faecal pellets at this region has remained unknown. We reveal a progressive and gradual reduction in water content of faecal content along the bowel. Hence, the distinct transition from amorphous to pellet shaped faecal content could not be explained by a dramatic increase in water reabsorption from a specific site. We discovered patterns of anterograde neurogenic and retrograde myogenic motor activity that facilitate the formation of faecal pellets. The formation of 'pellet-like' boluses at the colonic flexure involves interaction of an antegrade migrating motor complex in the proximal colon and retrograde myogenic slow phasic contractions that emerge from the colonic flexure. The findings uncover intrinsic mechanisms responsible for the formation of discrete faecal scybala in the large intestine of a vertebrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Costa
- Discipline of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Timothy J Hibberd
- Discipline of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Lauren J Keightley
- Discipline of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Lukasz Wiklendt
- Discipline of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Melinda A Kyloh
- Discipline of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Phil G Dinning
- Discipline of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Discipline of Surgery and Gastroenterology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Simon J H Brookes
- Discipline of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Nick J Spencer
- Discipline of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Corsetti M, Costa M, Bassotti G, Bharucha AE, Borrelli O, Dinning P, Di Lorenzo C, Huizinga JD, Jimenez M, Rao S, Spiller R, Spencer NJ, Lentle R, Pannemans J, Thys A, Benninga M, Tack J. First translational consensus on terminology and definitions of colonic motility in animals and humans studied by manometric and other techniques. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 16:559-579. [PMID: 31296967 PMCID: PMC7136172 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-019-0167-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in colonic motility are implicated in the pathophysiology of bowel disorders, but high-resolution manometry of human colonic motor function has revealed that our knowledge of normal motor patterns is limited. Furthermore, various terminologies and definitions have been used to describe colonic motor patterns in children, adults and animals. An example is the distinction between the high-amplitude propagating contractions in humans and giant contractions in animals. Harmonized terminology and definitions are required that are applicable to the study of colonic motility performed by basic scientists and clinicians, as well as adult and paediatric gastroenterologists. As clinical studies increasingly require adequate animal models to develop and test new therapies, there is a need for rational use of terminology to describe those motor patterns that are equivalent between animals and humans. This Consensus Statement provides the first harmonized interpretation of commonly used terminology to describe colonic motor function and delineates possible similarities between motor patterns observed in animal models and humans in vitro (ex vivo) and in vivo. The consolidated terminology can be an impetus for new research that will considerably improve our understanding of colonic motor function and will facilitate the development and testing of new therapies for colonic motility disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Corsetti
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Marcello Costa
- Human Physiology and Centre of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Gabrio Bassotti
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia Medical School, Perugia, Italy
| | - Adil E Bharucha
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Osvaldo Borrelli
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, London, UK
| | - Phil Dinning
- Human Physiology and Centre of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology and Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Carlo Di Lorenzo
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jan D Huizinga
- Department of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marcel Jimenez
- Department of Cell Physiology, Physiology and Immunology and Neuroscience Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Satish Rao
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Robin Spiller
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Nick J Spencer
- Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Roger Lentle
- Digestive Biomechanics Group, College of Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Jasper Pannemans
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Emma Children's Hospital/Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alexander Thys
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Emma Children's Hospital/Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marc Benninga
- Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal disorders (TARGID), Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Tack
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Emma Children's Hospital/Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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Hibberd TJ, Costa M, Travis L, Brookes SJH, Wattchow DA, Feng J, Hu H, Spencer NJ. Neurogenic and myogenic patterns of electrical activity in isolated intact mouse colon. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2017; 29:1-12. [PMID: 28418103 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relatively little is known about the electrical rhythmicity of the whole colon, where long neural pathways are preserved. METHODS Smooth muscle electrical activity was recorded extracellularly from the serosa of isolated flat-sheet preparations consisting of the whole mouse colon (n=31). KEY RESULTS Two distinct electrical patterns were observed. The first, long intense spike bursts, occurred every 349±256 seconds (0.2±0.2 cpm), firing action potentials for 31±11 seconds at 2.1±0.5 Hz. They were hexamethonium- and tetrodotoxin-sensitive, but persisted in nicardipine as 2 Hz electrical oscillations lacking action potentials. This pattern is called here neurogenic spike bursts. The second pattern, short spike bursts, occurred about every 30 seconds (2.0±0.6 cpm), with action potentials firing at about 1 Hz for 9 seconds (1.0±0.2 Hz, 9±4 seconds). Short spike bursts were hexamethonium- and tetrodotoxin-resistant but nicardipine-sensitive and thus called here myogenic spike bursts. Neurogenic spike bursts transiently delayed myogenic spike bursts, while blocking neurogenic activity enhanced myogenic spike burst durations. External stimuli significantly affected neurogenic but not myogenic spike bursts. Aboral electrical or mechanical stimuli evoked premature neurogenic spike bursts. Circumferential stretch significantly decreased intervals between neurogenic spike bursts. Lesioning the colon down to 10 mm segments significantly increased intervals or abolished neurogenic spike bursts, while myogenic spike bursts persisted. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES Distinct neurogenic and myogenic electrical patterns were recorded from mouse colonic muscularis externa. Neurogenic spike bursts likely correlate with neurogenic colonic migrating motor complexes (CMMC) and are highly sensitive to mechanical stimuli. Myogenic spike bursts may correspond to slow myogenic contractions, whose duration can be modulated by enteric neural activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Hibberd
- Discipline of Human Physiology & Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - M Costa
- Discipline of Human Physiology & Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - L Travis
- Discipline of Human Physiology & Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - S J H Brookes
- Discipline of Human Physiology & Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - D A Wattchow
- Discipline of Surgery & Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - J Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Center for the Study of Itch, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - H Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Center for the Study of Itch, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - N J Spencer
- Discipline of Human Physiology & Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Spencer NJ, Dinning PG, Brookes SJ, Costa M. Insights into the mechanisms underlying colonic motor patterns. J Physiol 2016; 594:4099-116. [PMID: 26990133 PMCID: PMC4967752 DOI: 10.1113/jp271919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years there have been significant technical and methodological advances in our ability to record the movements of the gastrointestinal tract. This has led to significant changes in our understanding of the different types of motor patterns that exist in the gastrointestinal tract (particularly the large intestine) and in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying their generation. Compared with other tubular smooth muscle organs, a rich variety of motor patterns occurs in the large intestine. This reflects a relatively autonomous nervous system in the gut wall, which has its own unique population of sensory neurons. Although the enteric nervous system can function independently of central neural inputs, under physiological conditions bowel motility is influenced by the CNS: if spinal pathways are disrupted, deficits in motility occur. The combination of high resolution manometry and video imaging has improved our knowledge of the range of motor patterns and provided some insight into the neural and mechanical factors underlying propulsion of contents. The neural circuits responsible for the generation of peristalsis and colonic migrating motor complexes have now been identified to lie within the myenteric plexus and do not require inputs from the mucosa or submucosal ganglia for their generation, but can be modified by their activity. This review will discuss the recent advances in our understanding of the different patterns of propagating motor activity in the large intestine of mammals and how latest technologies have led to major changes in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying their generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick J Spencer
- Department of Human Physiology and Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Phil G Dinning
- Department of Human Physiology and Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Simon J Brookes
- Department of Human Physiology and Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Marcello Costa
- Department of Human Physiology and Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
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Nomura R, Yanagihara M, Sato H, Matsumoto K, Tashima K, Horie S, Chen S, Fujino H, Ueno K, Murayama T. Bee venom phospholipase A2-induced phasic contractions in mouse rectum: Independent roles of eicosanoid and gap junction proteins and their loss in experimental colitis. Eur J Pharmacol 2013; 718:314-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Revised: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Fujimoto H, Shigemasa Y, Suzuki H. Carbon dioxide-induced inhibition of mechanical activity in gastrointestinal smooth muscle preparations isolated from the guinea-pig. J Smooth Muscle Res 2012; 47:167-82. [PMID: 22374469 DOI: 10.1540/jsmr.47.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical responses of smooth muscle elicited by application of CO2-gas bubbled physiological salt solution (CO2-gas solution) were investigated in isolated stomach antrum and colon preparations of the guinea-pig. Circular smooth muscle preparations of both colon and stomach were spontaneously active with periodic generation of phasic contractions. In colonic preparations, the CO2-gas solution produced a biphasic response, with an initial small transient contraction followed by a sustained inhibition of phasic contractions. Removal of the CO2-gas solution allowed a slow recovery of the spontaneous contractions over a period of about 40 min. The recovery developed with a similar time course irrespective of the length of time exposed to CO2-gas solution. The inhibitory responses elicited by CO2-gas solution were not modulated by atropine, Nω-nitro-L-arginine or neostigmine. Atropine-sensitive excitatory responses of smooth muscle elicited by transmural nerve stimulation or exogenously applied acetylcholine were attenuated or abolished in the presence of CO2-gas solution. In stomach preparations, the CO2-gas solution elicited a tri-phasic response, with an initial transient relaxation followed by a transient contraction and then a sustained inhibition of the rhythmic contractions. The peak amplitude of the transient contraction was about 2.5 times larger than the spontaneous phasic contractions. The pH of the CO2-gas solution was reduced to about 6. Application of pH 6 solution again produced a tri-phasic response, as was the case for the CO2-gas solution, however the amplitude of the transient contraction was only about 0.4 times that of the spontaneous contractions. The re-appearance of the abolished phasic contraction was quicker with the pH 6 solution (about 1.8 min) than it was for the CO2-gas solution (about 6 min). The inhibitory responses elicited by the CO2-gas solution could be simulated only partly by the acidified solution, and a possible involvement of additional factors in the inhibition elicited by CO2-gas solution was considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Fujimoto
- Department of Cell Physiology, Nagoya City University Medical School, Nagoya, Japan
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