Regulation of GI function I Flashcards
What are the three principal control mechanisms of GI function?
- ) Endocrine
- ) Paracrine
- ) Neural
Comprised of specialized cells that secrete peptides into the blood
-act distally
Endocrine regulation
Comprised of specialized cells that secrete peptides into the interstitium
-act locally via diffusion
Paracrine regulation
Neural regulation occurs via both
Intrinsic and extrinsic pathways
A key regulator of the GI tract
ANS
The EXTRINSIC GI nervous system is made up of
Parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves
The INTRINSIC (enteric) GI nervous system is made up of the
Myenteric (Auerbach) and Submucosal (Meissner) Plexuses
Cells of the autonomic nervous system originate from the
Neural crest
All preganglionic nerves in the PNS release
ACh
ACh acts upon
Type N2 Nicotinic-ACh receptors
Type N2 receptors are considered to be
Ligand-gates ion channels
All postganglionic PNS nerves release
ACh
This ACh release by post ganglionic PNS nerves acts upon
ACh-Muscarinic receptors (G-protein coupled receptors)
Preganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic nervous system enter the GI tract and synapse with the
Enteric nervous system
The parasympathetic neurotransmitter for the myenteric and submucosal plexuses is
ACh
What are the three main functions that ACh serves as a regulator of GI function?
- ) Increases salivary secretions
- ) Stimulates GI tract secretions
- ) Stimulates intestinal motility
Which types of gastric secretion is stimulated by ACh?
Gastric acid and pancreatic acinar secretion (digestive enzymeS)
Medicines which aim to increase gut motility and secretion will often act as either
Cholinesterase inhibitors or ACh analogues
-i.e. they increase cholinergic stimuli
Carry non-nociceptive signals to the CNS
-i.e. don’t carry pain signals
Parasympathetic afferents
Distension sensed by mechanoreceptors activates the vago-vagal reflex which results in
Gastrin secretion which stimulates HCl and pepsinogen secretion
The enteric nervous system is also stimlated by
Distension
All preganglionic sympathetic nerves release ACh which acts on
N2-R
All post ganglionic sympathetic nerves in the GI tract release the neurotransmitter
Norepinephrine
Acts on G-protein coupled receptors
Norepinephrine
Postganglionic fibers of the sympathetic nervous system enter the GI tract and synapse with both the
Enteric nervous system as well as individual target cells
The sympathetic neurotransmitter for the myenteric and submucosal plexuses is
Norepinephrine
What is more important in GI function regulation, ACh or Norepinephrine?
ACh (by a lot)
What are the two main functions of norepi in GI regulation?
- ) Increases fluid reabsorption
2. ) decreases peristaltic activity and constricts sphincters
A VERY important regulator of vascular tone
Norepinephrine
Carry nociceptive (pain) signals to the CNS
Sympathetic afferents
During embryonic development, visceral structures were which type of structures?
Midline structures
Thus, visceral pain DOES NOT
Lateralize