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Muscular effects of orexin A on the mouse duodenum: mechanical and electrophysiological studies
Author(s) -
Squecco Roberta,
Garella Rachele,
Luciani Giorgia,
Francini Fabio,
Baccari Maria Caterina
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.2011.214940
Subject(s) - depolarization , electrophysiology , nifedipine , chemistry , current clamp , biophysics , excitatory postsynaptic potential , membrane potential , patch clamp , voltage clamp , medicine , isometric exercise , endocrinology , interstitial cell of cajal , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , calcium , biology , smooth muscle , organic chemistry
Non‐Technical Summary Nerve‐mediated influences on gastrointestinal motility in response to orexin A, either centrally injected or applied to isolated gut preparations, have been reported. However, the presence of orexin receptors at the gastrointestinal smooth muscle level has been found. On these grounds, in the present study we evaluated whether orexin A also exerts direct muscular effects in the duodenal smooth muscle of the mouse in an attempt to explain the possible mechanism of action involved. The experimental results from mechanical and electrophysiological studies indicate that orexin A causes direct contractile responses in the isolated preparations and evokes changes in the ionic currents of the smooth muscle cells. Thus, orexin A, in addition to its neutrally mediated influences on gastrointestinal motility, exerts direct muscular effects on the mouse duodenum. This latter mechanism, from a physiological point of view, may act in a synergic manner to reinforce the neuronal signals.