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High-definition spatiotemporal mapping of contractile activity in the isolated proximal colon of the rabbit

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Abstract

Four types of contractile activity were identified and characterised in the isolated triple haustrated proximal colon of the rabbit using high-definition spatiotemporal mapping techniques. Mass peristalses were hexamethonium-sensitive deep circular contractions with associated taenial longitudinal contractile activity that occurred irregularly and propagated rapidly aborad, preceded by a zone of local lumen distension. They were sufficiently sustained for each event to occupy the length of the isolated colonic segment and the contraction persisted longer orally than aborally, the difference being more pronounced when lumen contents were viscous. Haustra were bounded by deep even-spaced ring contractions that progressed slowly aborad (haustral progression). Haustral formation and progression were hexamethonium-sensitive and coordinated across intertaenial domains. Ripples were hexamethonium-resistant phasic circular contractions that propagated predominantly orad at varying rates. In the presence of haustra, they were uncoordinated across intertaenial domains but were more coordinated when haustra were absent. Fast phasic contractions were relatively shallow hexamethonium-resistant contractions that propagated rapidly in a predominantly aborad direction. Fast phasic circular contractions were accompanied by taenial longitudinal muscle contractions which increased in amplitude prior to a mass peristaltic event and following the administration of hexamethonium. On the basis of the concurrence and interaction of these contractile activities, we hypothesise that dual pacemakers are present with fast phasic contractions being modulated by the interstitial cells of Cajal in the Auerbach’s plexus (ICC-MY) while ripples are due to the submucosal ICC (ICC-SM). Further, that ICC-SM mediate the enteric motor neurons that generate haustral progression, while the intramuscular ICC (ICC-IM) mediate mass peristalsis. The orad movement of watery fluid was possibly due to ripples in the absence of haustra.

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Abbreviations

D map:

Spatiotemporal diameter map

HBS:

Hepes buffer solution

ICC:

Interstitial cells of Cajal

ICC-IM:

ICC-intramuscular

ICC-MY:

ICC-Auerbach’s plexus

ICC-SM:

ICC-submucosal

L map:

Spatiotemporal longitudinal strain rate map

R map:

Spatiotemporal radius map

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Roger G. Lentle, Patrick W. M. Janssen, Patchana Asvarujanon & Yacine Hemar

  2. Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Paul Chambers & Kevin J. Stafford

Authors
  1. Roger G. Lentle
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  2. Patrick W. M. Janssen
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  3. Patchana Asvarujanon
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  4. Paul Chambers
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  5. Kevin J. Stafford
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  6. Yacine Hemar
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Correspondence to Roger G. Lentle.

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Communicated by I.D. Hume.

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Lentle, R.G., Janssen, P.W.M., Asvarujanon, P. et al. High-definition spatiotemporal mapping of contractile activity in the isolated proximal colon of the rabbit. J Comp Physiol B 178, 257–268 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-007-0217-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-007-0217-9

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