Neurohormonal control of intestinal transit

This review shows that numerous neuropeptides and hormones are involved in the regulation of intestinal transit. Many gastrointestinal hormones known to act on smooth muscle to influence muscle contractility also play a role in the genesis of abrupt changes associated with alimentary behaviour. In many monogastrics and ruminants, the cyclic occurrence of the migrating motor complex (MMC) is linked to peripheral hormonal factors only slightly influenced by the nature of food. Motilin is the major hormone involved in triggering the gastric migrating motor complex while somatostatine and enkephalins are implicated in the propagation along the small intestine. Other hormones, like CCK8, insulin, gastrin, and neurotensin, trigger the development of an intestinal feed pattern but CCK released at the central nervous system ventromedial hypothalamus is involved in maintaining the postprandial type of activity. Gastrointestinal transit may be altered in physiopathological situations in which CRF, TRH and some cytokines (IL1 beta, TNF alpha) play an important role.