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Effects and Mechanisms of Anal Electrical Stimulation on Anorectal Compliance and Tone in Dogs

  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Purpose

This study was designed to investigate the changes in rectal compliance and tone during anal electric stimulation and the involvement of the α-adrenergic pathway in conscious dogs.

Methods

Eight healthy dogs were studied in five randomized sessions. Anal sphincter pressure was quantified by using the area under the contractile curve. Rectal compliance and tone were measured in a pressure-controlled phasic and isobaric distention by using an electronic barostat. Anal electric stimulation was performed via a pair of ring electrodes attached to the catheter.

Results

The electric stimulation-induced increase in sphincter pressure was lowered by the presence of an α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, prazosin (18.6 ± 7.4 vs. 45.4 ± 9.7, P < 0.05), or α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, yohimbine (10.2 ± 8.2 vs. 38.3 ± 7.6, P < 0.05), compared with the control. The threshold volume in rectoanal inhibitory reflex during electric stimulation was significantly higher than during baseline (27.5 ± 0.9 vs. 22.5 ± 1.9 ml, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the percentage drops in sphincter pressure with and without stimulation at a rectal distention level of 45 ml of air. Anal electric stimulation significantly increased rectal compliance reflected as reduced P1/2 (11.1 ± 1.5 vs. 16.7 ± 1.1, P = 0.027) and reduced κ (11.6 ± 2.5 vs. 20.5 ± 2.6, P = 0.0095), compared with the control session, but did not significantly alter rectal tone.

Conclusions

Anal electric stimulation increases anal sphincter pressure, mediated at least partially by the α-adrenergic pathway. It also increases rectal compliance but does not alter rectal anal inhibitory reflexes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555-0632, USA

    Yuqiang Nie M.D. & J. D. Z. Chen Ph.D.

  2. Division of Gastroenterology, First People's Municipal Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, China

    Yuqiang Nie M.D.

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  1. Yuqiang Nie M.D.
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Correspondence to J. D. Z. Chen Ph.D..

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Nie, Y., Chen, J.D.Z. Effects and Mechanisms of Anal Electrical Stimulation on Anorectal Compliance and Tone in Dogs. Dis Colon Rectum 49, 1414–1421 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-006-0599-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-006-0599-x

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