Exogenous oxytocin reverses the decrease of colonic smooth muscle contraction in antenatal maternal hypoxia mice via
Dong-Ping Xie1, Xiao Yang, Chun-Yan Cao
1Department of Physiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, PR China. xiedping@tongji.edu.cn
Regulatory Peptides
|September 6, 2011
Summary
Antenatal maternal hypoxia impairs colonic contractions. Oxytocin (OT) administration reversed these effects in proximal colons of mice, suggesting OT
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Developmental Physiology
Background:
- Functional gastrointestinal disorders are often linked to stress.
- Oxytocin (OT) may offer protection against stress-induced gastrointestinal issues.
- The impact of antenatal maternal hypoxia on colonic function is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of antenatal maternal hypoxia on colonic contractions in adult mice.
- To determine the role of oxytocin (OT) in hypoxia-induced colonic disorders.
Main Methods:
- Isometric spontaneous contractions were measured in colonic longitudinal muscle strips.
- Experiments were conducted on colonic tissues from control and antenatal maternal hypoxia mice.
- The effects of exogenous oxytocin (OT) and hexamethonium on colonic contractions were assessed.
Main Results:
- Antenatal maternal hypoxia reduced high potassium and carbachol-induced contractions in the proximal colon.
- Exogenous oxytocin (OT) decreased proximal colon contractions in control mice but increased them in hypoxia-exposed mice.
- Oxytocin (OT) increased distal colon contractions in both control and hypoxia-exposed mice; hexamethonium blocked OT's effect on proximal colon in hypoxia mice.
Conclusions:
- Antenatal maternal hypoxia alters colonic smooth muscle contractility.
- Oxytocin (OT) administration can reverse hypoxia-induced decreases in proximal colonic contraction.
- Oxytocin's (OT) effect on proximal colon contractility in hypoxia appears to involve ganglionic pathways.
