0000000000323045
AUTHOR
J. V. Esplugues
Opioid-Sensitive Peripheral Neuronal Activity in the Modulation of Gastric Mucosal Injury
There is growing evidence that capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurones participate in the protective mechanisms of the gastric mucosa against damage. Animals pretreated systemically with capsaicin, at doses that lead to the ablation of capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons, show an increase in the level of macro-scopically apparent mucosal damage in different experimental models of ulceration (Szolcsanyi and Bartho, 1981; Holzer and Sametz, 1986). Furthermore, acute stimulation with capsaicin of afferent nerve endings located in the gastric mucosa protects against different ulcerogenic mechanisms (Szolcsanyi and Bartho, 1981; Holzer and Lippe, 1988; Holzer et al., 1989).
Gastric acid secretory responses induced by peptone are mediated by capsaicin-sensitive sensory afferent neurons
The involvement of capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons in modulating acid-secretory responses to peptone, a product of protein digestion, has been investigated in the continuously perfused stomach of the urethan-anesthetized rat. Systemic neonatal pretreatment with capsaicin, which destroys primary afferent neurons, does not modify basal levels of acid secretion. Acid responses to intragastric perfusion with isotonic (0.5, 1, and 2.4%) or hypertonic (10 and 20%) solutions of peptone were reduced in capsaicin-treated rats. Intragastric perfusion with hypertonic mannitol (18%) did not stimulate secretion of acid. Systemic capsaicin pretreatment did not modify acid responses to intraperitone…