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Diseases of the Colon & Rectum
Published in: Diseases of the Colon & Rectum 8/2008

01-08-2008 | Original Contribution

Pelvic Nerve Stimulation Evokes Nitric Oxide Mediated Distal Rectal Relaxation in Pigs

Authors: Flemming V. Møller, M.D., Steen Buntzen, M.D., D.M.Sc., Nico J. M. Rijkhoff, M.Sc., Ph.D., Søren Laurberg, M.D., D.M.Sc.

Published in: Diseases of the Colon & Rectum | Issue 8/2008

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Abstract

Purpose

Pelvic nerve stimulation evokes a complex motility response in the pig rectum with a proximal decrease and a distal increase in cross-sectional area. This study investigated whether the distal increase in the cross-sectional area is because of smooth muscle relaxation mediated by nitric oxide.

Methods

The pelvic nerves were stimulated with cuff electrodes in ten chloralose-anesthetized minipigs. Pressure, volume, and cross-sectional areas at five positions in the rectum were obtained during stimulation to examine the effect of NG-nitro-L-arginine (an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) injection.

Results

Stimulation evoked a median pressure decrease of 13 cm H2O (range, 0–27; P < 0.05; n = 10) in the anal canal, a pressure increase of 6 cm H2O (range,-15 to 30; P < 0.05; n = 10) in the rectum and a decrease of 39 mL (range, 30–63; P < 0.05; n = 6) in rectal volume. Rectal cross-sectional areas decreased 33 percent (range, 5–56; P < 0.02; n = 7) in the proximal part and increased 32 percent (range, 9–67; P < 0.02; n = 8) in the distal part. NG-nitro-L-arginine eliminated the increase in the distal rectal cross-sectional area (n = 5) and the decrease in anal canal pressure (n = 9) in all tested animals.

Conclusion

Pelvic nerve stimulation evokes distal rectal relaxation in pigs, sensitive to NG-nitro-L-arginine, which suggests that this smooth muscle response is mediated by nitric oxide.
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Metadata
Title
Pelvic Nerve Stimulation Evokes Nitric Oxide Mediated Distal Rectal Relaxation in Pigs
Authors
Flemming V. Møller, M.D.
Steen Buntzen, M.D., D.M.Sc.
Nico J. M. Rijkhoff, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Søren Laurberg, M.D., D.M.Sc.
Publication date
01-08-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum / Issue 8/2008
Print ISSN: 0012-3706
Electronic ISSN: 1530-0358
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-008-9355-8

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