Substance P as a mediator of colonic secretory reflexes

The role of substance P in neural reflex pathways activated by stroking was investigated in muscle-stripped segments of distal colon from guinea pigs. Stroking the mucosal surface with a brush at 1 stroke/s evoked an increase in short-circuit current (Isc) indicative of chloride secretion. The response to mucosal stroking was maximally reduced by 69-75% by the antagonist GR-82334. The agonist [Sar9,Met(O2)11] substance P caused a bumetanide-sensitive increase in Isc when added to the mucosal or serosal bath. Ablation of extrinsic afferents with acute or chronic administration of capsaicin did not alter the mucosal stroking response. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization revealed the presence of neurokinin1 (NK1) receptor messenger RNA in isolated colonocytes or crypt glands. Ligand binding of 125I-Bolton-Hunter-labeled substance P was inhibited by GR-82334. The 50% inhibitory concentration was 0.84 nM. The results demonstrate a role for substance P released from capsaicin-insensitive submucosal neurons and in mucosal stroking reflexes. The presence of NK1 receptors on isolated colonocytes suggests that appropriate elements are present for axon reflex activation of intestinal epithelial cells.