Localization of sites within dorsal motor nucleus of vagus that affect gastric motility

The purpose of our study was to determine the localization of sites within the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) of the cat that when stimulated would increase gastric motility. To do this, two types of experiments were performed. First, the retrograde tracer fast blue was injected into the antrum and pylorus, and labeled neurons in the DMV were identified. Second, electrical stimulation was performed in areas of the DMV labeled with fast blue as well as in nearby areas with no labeling while monitoring gastric motility, arterial pressure, and heart rate. Results from the first type of studies revealed that peak labeling in the DMV occurred between 0.56 and 1.56 mm rostral to obex. Electrical stimulation in this area using 100 microA, 0.2 ms duration pulses, and 50 Hz resulted in increases in antral and pyloric contractions in 20 animals. The magnitude of pyloric and antral responses elicited by stimulation of the DMV generally correlated to the number of cell bodies labeled with fast blue within the DMV. No changes in arterial pressure occurred, and only a slight (-4%) decrease in heart rate was observed. Maximal increases in motility occurred with 20 Hz (antrum) or 100 Hz (pylorus). These increases in motility were maintained even at 200- and 400-Hz stimulation. Ipsilateral vagotomy or pretreatment with propantheline bromide prevented the increases in gastric motility produced by electrical stimulation of the DMV. Electrical stimulation of more rostral sites in the DMV, the medial nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), and an area within 1.0 mm medial to the DMV resulted in attenuated or no motility responses. Stimulation of the medial nucleus of the NTS did result in pronounced slowing in heart rate (-61 +/- 21 beats/min). These results suggest that there is a localization of a "stomach area" within the DMV and that electrical stimulation of this area results in gastric motility responses that are mediated by vagal fibers projecting directly to the stomach. In addition, electrical stimulation of the DMV results in selective effects on the gastrointestinal tract in that no pronounced changes in heart rate and arterial pressure occur.