Biomaterial Database

The non-adrenergic non-cholinergic innervation of the esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter. 1986

S Rattan

Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve causes the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), followed by the sequential contraction of the esophageal body smooth muscle. These responses are similar to those in response to swallowing. The nature of the inhibitory neurotransmitter responsible for the LES relaxation is not exactly known. Following the preliminary criteria, we systematically examined the possibility of different candidate substances as the inhibitory neurotransmitter. We ruled out the role of different neurotransmitter substances including the cholinergic and adrenergic ones. Finally, we examined the possibility of VIP as the inhibitory neurotransmitter of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic intramural neurons of the LES, responsible for LES relaxation. VIP caused relaxation of the LES by its action directly at the muscle. VIP antiserum, which antagonized the action of VIP, caused a significant antagonism of LES relaxation caused by vagal stimulation and local stimulation. These results suggest that VIP acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter for LES relaxation. The exact nature of the neurotransmitter responsible for the esophageal peristalsis is also not known. It is suggested that the contraction of the longitudinal smooth muscle of the esophagus is mediated by acetylcholine and substance P, while the circular smooth muscle contraction is mediated through the release of acetylcholine and an unknown non-adrenergic non-cholinergic neurotransmitter. Whether the latter neurotransmitter is VIP remains to be seen.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009126	Muscle Relaxation	That phase of a muscle twitch during which a muscle returns to a resting position.	Muscle Relaxations,Relaxation, Muscle,Relaxations, Muscle
D009435	Synaptic Transmission	The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES.	Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D009893	Opossums	New World marsupials of the family Didelphidae. Opossums are omnivorous, largely nocturnal and arboreal MAMMALS, grow to about three feet in length, including the scaly prehensile tail, and have an abdominal pouch in which the young are carried at birth.	Didelphidae,Opossum
D010455	Peptides	Members of the class of compounds composed of AMINO ACIDS joined together by peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids into linear, branched or cyclical structures. OLIGOPEPTIDES are composed of approximately 2-12 amino acids. Polypeptides are composed of approximately 13 or more amino acids. PROTEINS are considered to be larger versions of peptides that can form into complex structures such as ENZYMES and RECEPTORS.	Peptide,Polypeptide,Polypeptides
D010528	Peristalsis	A movement, caused by sequential muscle contraction, that pushes the contents of the intestines or other tubular organs in one direction.	Peristalses
D011687	Purines	A series of heterocyclic compounds that are variously substituted in nature and are known also as purine bases. They include ADENINE and GUANINE, constituents of nucleic acids, as well as many alkaloids such as CAFFEINE and THEOPHYLLINE. Uric acid is the metabolic end product of purine metabolism.
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D004943	Esophagogastric Junction	The area covering the terminal portion of ESOPHAGUS and the beginning of STOMACH at the cardiac orifice.	Gastroesophageal Junction,Gastroesophageal Junctions,Junction, Esophagogastric,Junction, Gastroesophageal,Junctions, Gastroesophageal
D004947	Esophagus	The muscular membranous segment between the PHARYNX and the STOMACH in the UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT.
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia