Open AccessColokinetic effect of somatostatin in the spinal defecation center in rats
Author(s) -
Kiyotada Naitou,
Takahiko Shiina,
Hiroyuki Nakamori,
Yuichi Sano,
Hiroki Shimaoka,
Yasutake Shimizu
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of physiological sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.968
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1880-6562
pISSN - 1880-6546
DOI - 10.1007/s12576-017-0524-1
Subject(s) - somatostatin , spinal cord , medicine , somatostatin receptor , motility , defecation , endocrinology , biology , psychiatry , genetics
Somatostatin and its receptors are expressed in the spinal cord, but the functional roles of the peptide remain unknown. In this study, we examined the colokinetic effect of somatostatin in the spinal defecation center in anesthetized rats. Intrathecal application of somatostatin into the lumbo-sacral cord caused propulsive contractions of the colorectum. However, somatostatin administered intravenously or intrathecally to the thoracic cord failed to enhance colorectal motility. Transection of the thoracic cord had no significant impact on the colokinetic action of somatostatin. The enhancement of colorectal motility by intrathecal administration of somatostatin was abolished by severing the pelvic nerves. Our results demonstrate that somatostatin acting on the spinal defecation center causes propulsive motility of the colorectum in rats. Considering that somatostatin is involved in nociceptive signal transmission in the spinal cord, our results provide a rational explanation for the concurrent appearance of chronic abdominal pain and colonic motility disorders in IBS patients.