FUNCTIONAL STUDY ON THE ROLE OF TACHYKININS IN COLONIC PERISTALTIC ACTIVITY IN MICE

Because the role of tachykinin receptors in colonic peristalsis remains incompletely understood, we studied the effect of tachykinin receptor antagonists on mouse colonic peristaltic activity. Peristaltic activity was assessed by quantifying the amplitude and interval of distension-induced pressure waves in proximal and distal colon segments of mice using a modified Trendelenburg set-up. We studied the effect of the NK1, NK2 and NK3 tachykinin receptor antagonists RP67580 (2 mM), nepadutant (1 mM) and SR142801 (0.3 mM) respectively. Gradual distension of proximal and distal colon segments induced repetitive rhythmic pressure waves which were blocked by tetrodotoxin (1 mM) and virtually abol…