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Effect of estrogen on visceral sensory function in a non‐inflammatory colonic hypersensitivity rat model
Author(s) -
Knuesel C.,
OuleveyMeier M.,
Flogerzi B.,
Krayer M.,
Gschossmann I.,
Miller J.,
Tovar L.,
Janko S.,
Gschossmann J. M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
neurogastroenterology and motility
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.489
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1365-2982
pISSN - 1350-1925
DOI - 10.1111/nmo.12857
Subject(s) - sensitization , medicine , estrogen , endocrinology , butyrate , visceral pain , nociception , chemistry , receptor , immunology , food science , fermentation
Background Increased prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in women and perimenstrually accentuated symptoms imply that sexual hormones play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of such syndromes. The aim of this study was to analyze the selective effect of estrogen on visceral sensitivity in gonadectomized female and male Lewis rats with or without prior treatment with butyrate enemas. Methods Following ovariectomy ( OVX ) or orchiectomy ( ORX ) estradiol pellets (E2‐P) or sham pellets (Sham‐P) were implanted. After treatment with butyrate ( BUT ) or saline (NaCl) enemas, colorectal distensions ( CRD ) were performed and the visceromotor reflex ( VMR ) to CRD was measured by electromyography. Key Results Gender did not influence VMR to CRD in gonadectomized animals. VMR in E2‐P animals compared to Sham‐P animals was increased (635 ± 32 μ Vs vs 470 ± 39 μ Vs; p = 0.002). Overall, instillation of butyrate enemas did not influence VMR to CRD . A comparison of CRD clusters showed that butyrate enemas in the E2‐P animals resulted in a significant sensitization in both OVX and ORX animals. In female rats, sensitization was also caused by estrogen substitution alone. Conclusion & Inferences In our animal model, estrogen is a strong factor for an increase in visceral sensory function. Surprisingly, the treatment with butyrate alone did not evoke a general rise in VMR to CRD . Rats treated with butyrate enemas and under selective estrogen substitution developed visceral sensitization during the series of CRD s.