Premium
Nitric oxide regulation of colonic epithelial ion transport: a novel role for enteric glia in the myenteric plexus
Author(s) -
MacEachern Sarah J.,
Patel Bhavik A.,
McKay Derek M.,
Sharkey Keith A.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.207902
Subject(s) - enteric nervous system , myenteric plexus , nitric oxide , gastrointestinal tract , secretion , submucous plexus , lumen (anatomy) , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , epithelium , neuroscience , biochemistry , endocrinology , immunology , immunohistochemistry , genetics
Non‐technical summary The enteric nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract regulates all the functions of the gut. Enteric neurons are surrounded and outnumbered by enteric glial cells, whose functions are not well understood. Digestive and defensive functions of the gut require the secretion of fluid into the lumen in a regulated manner. Fluid is controlled by the secretion or absorption of ions across the epithelium. Here we have identified a physiological role for enteric glia of the colon in the regulation of fluid balance, through the production of the gaseous mediator nitric oxide. Enteric glia work in concert with enteric nerves by using nitric oxide to regulate the movement of ions across the wall of the colon, thereby affecting water movement and hence digestion and host defence.