GI Physiology Flashcards
adrenergic neurons are typically __________ to gut?
inhibit or stimulatory? Molecule?
Inhibitory: adrenaline/epinephrine
What is Aldosterone and where is it secreted?
Is a steroid hormone (mineralocorticoid) secreted by outer zone glomerulosa of adrenal cortex.
Secreted after low-salt diet, angiotensin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, or high potassium levels.
Aldosterone: function
act on distal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney causing secretion of K+ and reabsorption of Na+ and H2O.
What is the GI function of Aldosterone?
It stimulates sodium and water reabsorption from the gut and salivary glands in exchange with K+ ions.
Species dependent: water and Na+ reabsorption in proximal colon and decrease absorption in distal colon.
Autocrine definition
secretions of a given cell modify or regulate functions of the same cell
By what process is water absorbed in the small intestine?
Entirely by diffusion
Where are the 2 CCK receptors located?
CCK-1 (CCKA) is primarily found in the GI tract. Its primary fnction is to stimulate bicarb secretion, gall bladder emptying and inhibiting gut motility.
CCK-2 (CCKB) is primarily found on CNS. Its primary function is to regulate nociception, anxiety, memory and hunger.
Cholecystokinin: Action
Stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion and gallbladder contractions; inhibits food intake and gastric emptying
Cholecystokinin: Production site
Duodenum, jejunum, ileum; endocrine I (“i”) cells and enteric neurons of duodenum and jejunum
Cholecystokinin: Release stimulus
Fats and protein
Cholinergic neurons are typically _________ to gut? inhibit or stim? Molecule?
stimulatory, Acetycholine
Describe the basic electrical rhythm of the stomach.
Mixing waves = Slow waves (spontaneous) that result in mixing of the food (chyme), more intense at antrum
Discuss the blood flow in the salivary glands.
The salivary glands make kalikrein - which when secreted splits a-2 globulin into bradykinin = VASODILATION
Discuss the excretion of bilirubin.
- RBCs are degraded by reticuloendothelial system (heme + globin) 2. Via heme oxygenase = Biliverdin 3. Unconjugated bilirbin (bound to albumin) 4. In liver conguates with glucuronic acid = Bilirubin glucuronide (80%) and bilirbuin sulfate (10%) = Conjugated bilirubin 5. Conjugated bilirubin is excreted in bile into intestesines 6. In intestines - intestinal bacteria convert it into urobilinogen 7. About 90% of urobilinogen is converted to stercobilinogen then converted to stercobilin and is excreted in feces 8. About 10% of urobilinogen is absorbed into blood and is either recycled to bile (about 95%) or excreted by kidney (about 5%). When urobilinogen is exposure to air in the urine it is converted to urobilin
Do the slow waves in the GIT cause muscle contraction?
NO! Except in stomach. Provide electrical background to allow AP when excited by intermittent spike potentials (which excites muscle contractions)
Does the large intestinal have villi and Crypts of Lieberkuhn?
No villi Yes - Crypts of Lieberkuhn
During fasting what type of gastric contraction periodically occurs?
Migrating myoelectric complexes = mediated by motiliin
Explain enterohepatic circulation of bile salts?
Bile salts are reabsorbed in SI (diffusion and active transport) → Portal blood → Liver venous sinusoids → Hepatocytes → Bile About 94% of bile salts are recirculated (up to 17x)
Five Functions of the gut
motility secretion digestion absorption storage
Gastric inhibitory polypeptide: action
inhibits gastric secretions and emptying and stimulates insulin secretion. Slows movement of ingesta particularly from stomach to intestine.
Gastric inhibitory polypeptide: Production site
duodenum and jejunum
Gastric inhibitory polypeptide: release stimulus
fat and glucose (glu. in duodenum)
Gastrin & histamine =?
Gastrin increases acid secretion indirectly by stimulation of histamine release from ECL which can activate H2 receptors on acid secreting gastric parietal cells.
Gastrin binds to ____________
CCK-2 receptor, g-protein coupled receptor. Causes stimulation of gastric acid secretion and hyperplasia of enterochromaffin-like cells.
Gastrin forms
G-17 (90%) and G-34 (10%, duodenum)
Gastrin: Action
Stimulates acid secretion and growth of stomach epithelium (cancer marker)
Gastrin: prod. site
stomach (pylorus and antrum) and duodenum G cells
Gastrin: Release stimulus
Protein, increased high gastric acidity, gastric distention
How are bile salts made?
From cholesterol (diet or made in liver) → 1. cholic acid OR 2. Chenodeoxycholic acid → These combine with either 1. Glycine or 2. Taurine → Conjugated bile salts
How are pancreatic enzymes secreted?
Pancreatic enzymes are secreted as zymogens (INACTIVE form) - Such as trypsinogen Once into the small intestine they are activated = Trypsin
How are the action potentials different in the GIT?
Calcium-sodium channels = Much slower to open/close = Longer duration of AP
How does parasympathetic stimulation affect the ENS?
Increases activity of ENS Mainly vagus nn (some through pelvic nn)
How does sympathetic stimulation affect the ENS?
Inhibits GIT activity = From T5-L2 → sympathetic chains → celiac ganglion → mesenteric ganglia (postganglion neuron bodies) → Postganglic fibers to ENTIRE GIT → Secrete norepinephrine (small amounts of epinephrine) Inhibits intestinal smooth muscle, blocks/inhibits neurons in ENS
How dot he enterocytes of the Crypts of Lieberkuhn result in formation of a watery vehicle?
- Active secretion of Cl- 2. Active secretion of HCO3- Drags along Na+ and water
How is gastric secretion inhibited?
Food in SI 1. Reverse enterogastric reflex (myeneteric NS, sympathetic NS, vagus n) 2. Food in SI stimulates secretion of SECRETIN and 3 other inhibitors (gastric inhibitory peptide, somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal peptide)
How is pepsinogen activated?
Pepsinogen (inactive) is secreted by the peptic/chief cells in the gastric/oxyntic gland. This is converted to pepsin (ACTIVE = highly proteolytic at low pH) when HCl is present
How is urea formed in the urine?
Amino Acid + Keto acid (alpha keto-glutoric acid) gets transminated into keto acid + amino acid (glutamic acid) Via oxiative deamination glutamic acid is converted to keto acid + NH3 (ammonia) The ammonia combined with CO2 and creates urea!
In general what regulates stomach emptying?
Signals from stomach and duodenum (potent)
In the nerve fibers how are AP generated?
By rapid entry of Na into nerve through Na channels
Motilin: Action
induction/regulation of phase III of the MMC (migrating motor complex) during fasting (digestive state). Works on both muscles and nerves. Stimulates gastric emptying between meals and secretion of pepsinogen (protein digesting enzyme)
Motilin: Production site
M cells of duodenum and jejunum (jejunum lesser extent than duod.)
Motilin: Release stimulus
Acetylcholine
Name 1 thing that is stimulated and 2 things that are inhibited by gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP)?
Stimulates: 1. Insulin release Inhibits: 1. Gastric motility (mild) 2. Gastric Acid Secretion
Name 2 enzymes that aid in starch digestion that are not found in intestinal epithelium.
- Salivary alpha amylase (Ptyalin) 2. Pancreatic amylase
Name 2 mixing movements in the GIT?
- Peristalsis again sphincter = churning of content 2. Local intermittent constrictive contractions within gut wall (chopping and shearing contents)
Name 3 places that protein digestion occurs?
- Stomach 2. Duodenum/Upper jejunum (pancreatic secretions) 3. Enterocytes (duodenum and jejunum)
Name 3 stimuli that result in secretion of cholecystokinin?
- Protein 2. Fat 3. Acid
Name 3 stimuli that result in secretion of gastrin?
- Protein 2. Distension 3. Nerve (gastrin releasing peptide from vagal stimulation) Acid = Inhibits release
Name 3 things that stimulate the secretion of motilin.
- Fat 2. Acid 3. Nerve
Name 4 other functions of the liver in metabolism.
- Stores Vitamins - A, D, B12 2. Blood coagulation - makes factors (needs Vit K) 3. Storage of iron == Ferritin 4. Metabolizes drugs, hormones, Ca2+, others
Name 4 things that are stimulated and 1 thing that is inhibited by secretin.
Stimulates: 1. Pepsin secretion 2. Pancreatic bicarbonate secretion!!! (neutralizes acidic contents) 3. Biliary bicarbonate secretion 4. Growth of exocrine pancrease Inhibits: 1. Gastric Acid secretion
Name 6 roles of cholecytsokinin.
Stimulates: 1. Pancreatic enzyme secretion 2. Pancreatic bicarbonate secretion 3. BG contraction 4. Growth of exocrine pancreas Inhibits: 5. Gastric emptying (moderate - time for digestion) 6. Appetite (sensory afferent in duodenum via vagus to appetite centers)
Name the 2 primary bile acids.
Cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid
Name the 4 fat soluble vitamins.
Vitamins A, D, E, K
Neurocrine definition
secretion by enteric neurons of neuromodulators or regulatory peptides that affect nearby muscle cells, glands, or blood vessels.
Paracrine definition
peptides secreted from cells with subsequent diffusion through the interstitial space to contact and affect other cells
Secretin: Action
stimulates HCO3- secretion and inhibits acid secretion (nature’s anti-acid). Stimulates exocrine pancreatic and biliary secretions of water, bicarb. gastric mucus and pepsinogen; endocrine pancreatic secretions of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin; and pancreatic growth Inhibits gastric acid secretion, motility of intestine and gastric mucosal growth.
Secretin: production site
duodenum and upper jejunum; S cells
Secretin: Release stimulus
Gastric acid, fat, protein, bile acids, and herbal extracts Controlled by action of hormones: CCK, hormonal-neuronal control (CCK-vagal)
What 3 locations do carbohydrate digestion occur?
- Mouth 2. Small intestine (pancreatic secretions) 3. Villi (Brush border)
What 3 pancreatic enzymes are responsible for fat digestion?
Pancreatic lipase (fat into FA and monglycerides) Cholesterol esterase (hydrolysis of cholesterol) Phospholipase (FA splits from phospholipids)
What 3 pancreatic enzymes are responsible for protein digestion?
- Trypsin!!!! 2. Chymotrypsin 3. Carboxypolypeptide (can release AA)
What 4 components are absorbed via micelles with bile salts?
- Fatty Acids 2. Monglycerides 3. Cholesterol 4. Other Lipids
What accounts for the huge regenerative capacity of the liver?
HGF (Heptocyte growth factor) produced by mesenchymal cells
What are 2 main things that are lost in diarrhea?
HCO3- and K+ = Hypercholermic metabolic acidosis
What are 2 stimuli for secretion of secretin?
- Acid 2. Fat
What are 3 stimuli for gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) secretion?
- Protein 2. Fat 3. Carbohydrates (less)
What are essential for emulsification of tryglycerides?
Bile salts and lecithin
What are hunger contractions?
When the stomach as been empty for hours - Rhythmic powerful contractions
What are slow waves in the GIT?
Rhythmic contractions - determine by frequency of slow waves (NOT AP but slow undulating changes in resting membrane potential) Varies along GIT
What are spike potentials in GIT?
True AP - Each time peaks of slow waves temporarily more + spike potentials = Peaks
What are the 2 actions of gastrin?
Stimulates: 1. Gastric acid secretion 2. Growth of gastric mucosa
What are the 2 duodenal factor that control stomach emptying?
Inhibit Emptying 1. Enterogastric Relfex (food in duodenum inhibit pyloric pump) 2. Hormones = CCK (from jejunal cells that sense fat) = Blocks stomach motility (caused by gastrin)
What are the 2 gastric factors that control stomach emptying?
Promote emptying = increased pyloric pump 1. Gastric food volume (stretch) 2. Gastrin release
What are the 2 main blood supplies for the liver?
Portal vein and hepatic artery
What are the 2 main glands in the SI that result in secretions?
- Brunner’s glands = Mucus and bicarbonate 2. Crypts of Lieberkuhn = Digestive Juices (mucus and watery vehicle)
What are the 2 main stimuli for secretion of pepsinogen from peptic/chief cells?
- Acetylcholine (vagus n. and gastric enetric plexus) 2. Acid in the stomach
What are the 2 main ways that proteins are absorbed in the SI?
Via Na+ co-transporter or less by facilitated diffusion
What are the 2 major movements in the SI?
- Mixing contractions = segmentation contractions (from SI distension with chyme) 2. Propulsive Movements = Perstaltic waves Stretch (chyme in duodenum), gastroenteric reflex, hormones (gastrin, CCK, insulin, motilin, serotonin)
What are the 2 major movements of the colon?
- Mixing movements - large circular contractions 2. Propulsion movements = MASS MOVEMENTS (dt gastrocolic and duodenocolic reflexes = distension)
What are the 2 reflexes that control defecation and which one is “stronger”?
- Intrinsic Reflex (local ENS - myenteric plexus) 2. Parasympathetic Defecation Relfex (via pelvic nn) = VERY POWERFUL peristalsis and inhibits internal anal sphincter?
What are the 2 types of movement in the GIT?
Propulsive movements (food to move to accommodate digestion/absorptive) 2. Mixing movements (of contents)
What are the 2 types of peristalsis during the esophageal phase?
- Primary peristalsis - continuous wave from pharynx
- Secondary Peristalsis = from distension of esophagus (controlled by myenteric NS)
What are the 2 types of secretions from salivary glands?
- Serous = Ptyalin (a-amylase) = Digest starch 2. Mucus = Mucin = Lubrication
What are the 3 final monosaccharides?
- Glucose 2. Galatose 3. Fructose
What are the 3 main actions that can result in depolarization of smooth muscle cells in GIT?
- Stretching of muscle 2. Stimulation by acetylcholine release from parasympathetic nn 3. Stimulation by several specific GI hormones
What are the 3 main cell types that make of the gastric/oxyntic gland and what do they secrete?
- Mucous Neck Cell = Mucus 2. Oxyntic/Partiel Cells = HCl, intrinsic factor 3. Peptic/Chief Cells = Pepsinogen
What are the 3 main functions of the liver in fat metabolism.
- High rate of oxidation of fatty acids (fats → glycerol + FFA → Beta oxidation →Acetyl CoA→TCA Cycle or acretoacetic acid 2. Synthesis cholesterol (for bile salts), phospholipids (cell membranes), lipoproteins 3. Convert carbs and proteins into fat
What are the 3 main motor functions of the stomach?
- Storage of food until into SI 2. Mixing of food with gastroc secretions into chyme 3. Slow empyting of chyme from sotmach into SI
What are the 3 main stimulators of H+ secretion on parietal cells and what are their receptors?
- ACh (From Vagus n, M3 receptor) 2. Gastrin (From G cells in antrum, CCKb receptor) 3. Histamine (From ECL cells, H2 receptor)
What are the 3 main stimuli for HCl secretion and which cells do these substances stimulate?
- Acetylcholine = All cells are stimulated 2. Gastrin = Only parietal cells are stimulated 3. Histamine = Only parietal cells are stimulated
What are the 3 main stimuli for pancreatic secretion?
- Acetylcholine 2. Cholecystokinin (CCK) 3. Secretin
What are the 3 phases of gastric secretion and how much do they account for acid secretion?
- Cephalic Phase = 30% acid production 2. Gastric Phase = 60% acid production 3. Intestinal Phase = 10% acid production
What are the 3 phases of pancreatic secretion?
Same as gastric secretion 1. Cephalic = 20% pancreatic enzymes 2. Gastric = 5-10% pancreatic enzymes 3. Intestinal: LOTS of pancreatic fluid and bicarbonate (secretin); 70-80% pancreatic enzymes (CCK)
What are the 3 phases of swallowing?
- Voluntary Stage (bolus into pharynx) 2. Pharyngeal Stage (involuntary) 3. Esophageal Stage (involuntary)
What are the 3 things in the portal triad?
- Portal Vein 2. Bile Duct 3. Hepatic Artery
What are the 4 main functions of the liver in carbohydrate metabolism?
- Store glycogen (glucose buffer) 2. Convert galactose/fructose into glucose 3. Gluconeogenesis
What are the 4 main functions of the liver in protein metabolism?
- Deamination of AA 2. Formation of urea 3. Formation of plasma proteins (except Ig) 4. Interconversion of AA
What are the 4 steps of Vitamin B12 absorption?
- Dietary B12 released from pepsin (stomach) 2. Free B12 binds to R protein (from saliva) 3. Duodenum: Pancreatic proteases degrade R protein and Vit B12 transferred to intrinsic factor (prevented from degrading) 4. Vit B12-Intrinsic Factor Complex - Ileum it is transported
What are the 6 magic properties of mucus?
- Adheres tightly to food and spreads thin 2. Sufficient body to coat GIT so that food rarely touches mucosa 3. Causes formation of fecal balls 4. Resistant to digestion by digestive enzymes 5. Particles slide along it easily 6. Amphoteric properties (can buffer acid or alkali)
What are the areas that lymph is created/filtrated in the liver lobules?
Within the Space of Disse
What are the basic steps in secretion from a glandular cell in the GIT?
- Diffusion of substance from capillaries into glandular cell 2. Secretory substance made in ER 3. Formed by ribosomes and Golgi 4. Stored Glogi vesicles 5. Increased permeability = Increased intracellular Ca2+ = Vesicles fuse to apical membrane = Exocytosis
What are the Brunner’s gland stimulated by in the SI?
Result in mucus and bicarbonate secretion Stimulated by: food, vagal stimulation, secretin Result in protection of mucosa in duodenum
What are the effects of norepinephrine and epinephrine on GIT nerves (stimulation of smpathetic nn)?
More negative = Hyperpolarized (less excitable)
What are the enzymes in the duodenum/upper jejenum that aid in protein digestion?
Pancreatic enzymes: Trypsin. Chymotrypsin, carboxypolypeptidase, proelastase
What are the final products of carbodyhrate digestion?
Monosaccarides that are absorbed immediately into portal blood
What are the layers of the GI wall?
- Serosa 2. Longitudinal smooth muscle layer 3. Circular smooth muscle layer 4. Submucosa 5. Mucosa (bundles of smooth muscle fibers)
What are the main villus enzymes?
- Peptidase (peptides → AA) 2. Sucrase, maltase, isomaltase, lactase (dissaccharides → monosaccharides) 3. Intestinal lipase (fats → glycerol and FA)
What are the net results of gastric parietal cells?
Net secretion of HCl and net absorption of HCO3- (alkalaine tide that is seen after meals)
What are the steps in HCl secretion in a oxyntic/parietal cells?
- Water dissociates into H+ and OH- in the cytoplasm 2. H+/K+ ATPase allows H+ to be secreted into the canaliculi 3. Potassium in brought into the cell on the basolateral membrane by a Na+/K+ ATPase pump, this makes low intracellular Na+, which brings Na+ into the cell from the canaliculus 4. Pumping out of H+ allows formation of HCO3- since OH- is accumulating in the cell cytoplasm, this is mediated by carbonic anhydrase, this is then secreted in exchange for Cl-, which is sent out into the canaliculus to meet with H+ and make HCl 5. Water passes into the canaliculus by osmosis
What are the steps in making bicarbonate in the pancreas?
- CO2 diffuses into the cell from the blood, combines with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3), dissociates into H+ and HCO3- 2. H+ is traded in the blood for Na+, which is transported out of the cell with HCO3- 3. This also pulls water by osmosis
What are the stimuli for propulsive movements = peristalsis in GIT?
Stimulus = Distenstion (stretching) caused by material Some chemical and physical irritation, strong parasympathetic nervous signals
What are the two imperative steps in emptying the GB and what controls this?
Need contraction of GB and relaxation of Sphincter of Oddi (at exit of common bile duct into duodenum) This is stimulated by CCK that is released in response to a fatty meal in the duodenum
What are the two layers of muscles in the GIT?
- Circular muscles 2. Longitudinal muscles
What are the two main cells types of the Crypts of Lieberkuhn?
- Goblet Cells = Mucus 2. Enterocytes = Absorb and secrete water and electrolytes (PURE ECF, alkaline fluid)
What are the two main functions of pancreatic secretions?
- Digestive enzymes 2. Na bicarbonate
What are the two main roles of bile salts?
- Emulsifying or detergent function (decrease surface tension, allows GIT to break down fats) 2. Absorption of micelles into blood (MAJOR effect! = fatty acids, monoglycerides, cholesterol, other lipids)
What are the two main roles of bile?
- Fat digestion and absorption (based on bile acids/salts that aid in emulsifying and absorbing fats) 2. Excretion of waste (including bilirubin and cholesterol)
What are the two major glands in the stomach and what do each of them secrete?
- Oxyntic Gland (Gastric Gland) = HCl, Pepsinogen, intrinsic factor, mucus 2. Pyloric Gland = Mucus, Gastrin
What are the two major plexus and what do they control?
- Myenteric Plexus (Auerbach’s): Outer plexus twn longitudinal and circular muscle layers - mainly control GI movements 2. Submucosal Plexus (Meissner’s): Inner plexus - controls mainly GI secretions and local blood flow
What are the two stages of bile secretion?
- Bile is secreted by hepatocytes into bile canaliculi 2. Bile flows through ducts to the hepatic duct → common bile duct → duodenum OR cystic duct to Gallbladder Along the way in the ductules/ducts watery Na+ and HCO3- solution secreted by secretory epithelial cells (stimulated by secretin)
What are tonic contractions in the GIT?
Continuous (not associated with slow waves) - can last mins to hours These are in addition or instead of rhythmical contractions
What causes Ca to enter the muscle fiber to result in a contraction?
Slow waves do NOT cause Ca to enter (ONLY Na), thus no muscle contraction alone During a spike potential (generated by slow waves) = Large amount of Ca enters = muscle contraction
What cells are consider the electrical pacemakers for smooth muscle cells?
Interstitial cells of Cajal - Undergo cyclic change in membrane potential Unique ion channels that periodically open = inward pacemarkers currents
What cells secrete gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP)?
K cells of duodenum and jejunum
What components are in salivary to attack bacteria?
- Thiocyanate ions 2. Lysozyme 3. Ig
What controls stomach emptying?
“Pyloric pump” - intense peristaltic wave in the antrum, pyloric sphincter also controls this
What controls the cephalic phase of gastric secretion?
Sight, smell, taste of food → HCl + pepsin release Controlled by: Cerebral cortex (appetite center amygdala and hypothalamus) → Vagus n. → Stomach via Acetylchoine G cells →Gastrin Releasing peptide = GASTRIN release