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Updated: May 12, 2026
08:19
In Vitro Characterization of the Electrophysiological Properties of Colonic Afferent Fibers in Rats
Published on: September 27, 2017
Colonic enteric nervous system analysis during parenteral nutrition
Christopher S Erickson1, Amanda J Barlow, Joseph F Pierre
1Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA.
The Journal of Surgical Research
|April 23, 2013
Summary
Parenteral nutrition (PN) constricts the colon and reduces fecal output by altering enteric neurons. Bombesin (BBS) supplementation partially reverses these effects, improving gut motility during PN therapy.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neuroscience
- Surgical Nutrition
Background:
- Parenteral nutrition (PN) is crucial for patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction but can lead to intestinal atrophy and immune changes.
- PN may also impact gut motility through alterations in the enteric nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of PN on the enteric nervous system and gut motility.
- To determine if bombesin (BBS) supplementation can mitigate PN-induced changes.
Main Methods:
- Mice received intravenous PN with or without BBS for 5 days.
- Colonic morphometry, enteric neuronal density, and neurotransmitter expression (nNOS) were analyzed.
- Hu and nNOS co-immunostaining was used to assess neuronal changes.
Main Results:
- PN increased myenteric neurons expressing Hu and nNOS per unit length in the mid-colon.
- PN decreased colon length and circumference, and reduced fecal output.
- BBS supplementation abrogated the increase in neuronal density and partially restored colon dimensions and fecal output.
Conclusions:
- PN induces colonic constriction and reduced fecal output by altering enteric neuron condensation.
- BBS supplementation partially reverses PN-induced colonic changes and increases fecal output.
- These findings suggest BBS may be a therapeutic option to improve gut function during PN.
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