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Neuromedin U is necessary for normal gastrointestinal motility and is regulated by serotonin
Author(s) -
Nakashima Yoshiki,
Ida Takanori,
Sato Takahiro,
Nakamura Yuki,
Takahashi Tomoko,
Mori Kenji,
Miyazato Mikiya,
Kangawa Kenji,
Kusukawa Jingo,
Kojima Masayasu
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05504.x
Subject(s) - motility , gastrointestinal tract , serotonin , medicine , gastrointestinal transit , endocrinology , diarrhea , defecation , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor
Neuromedin U (NMU) was originally isolated from porcine spinal cord and shown to be distributed in numerous tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract. However, little is known about the role of NMU in the regulation of gastrointestinal functions. We established a radioimmunoassay system that is exceptionally specific for mouse NMU and found high NMU content in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in the Auerbach's and Meissner's plexi, suggesting a possible role of NMU in gastrointestinal motility. NMU promoted small intestinal transit, and NMU deficiency resulted in lowered intestinal motility rate and diminished the effect of serotonin‐induced defecation and diarrhea. These results indicate that NMU promotes intestinal transit and maintains intestinal homeostasis.