• Xiaohong Xu, Yong Lei, Shi Liu, and J D Z Chen.
• Veterans Research and Education Foundation, VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
• Dis. Colon Rectum. 2008 Apr 1; 51 (4): 467-73.

PurposeA phenomenon of cross-talk has been noted that electrical stimulation of one part of the gut affects another part of the gut. This study was designed to investigate whether the effect of electrical stimulation of one part of the gut on another part of the gut was related to the organ or the distance between the stimulation site and the affected organ, and the mechanism of ileum electrical stimulation on rectal tone.MethodsThis study was performed in 13 healthy dogs (16-28 kg) in the fasting state. Experiments were performed to study 1) effects of gastric electrical stimulation, duodenal electrical stimulation, ileum electrical stimulation, and colonic electrical stimulation on rectal tone, and 2) the sympathetic and nitrergic pathways involved in the effects of ileum electrical stimulation on rectal tone. A computerized barostat was used to assess rectal tone.ResultsAll methods of stimulations significantly inhibited rectal tone. Duodenal electrical stimulation was least effective in reducing rectal tone. The percentage of increase in rectal volume was distance-related with duodenal electrical stimulation, ileum electrical stimulation, and colonic electrical stimulation but organ-specific with gastric electrical stimulation. The inhibitory effect of ileum electrical stimulation on rectal tone was abolished by N omega-nitro-L-arginine but not guanethidine.ConclusionsElectrical stimulation of the stomach, intestine, or colon with long pulses has an inhibitory effect on rectal tone. This inhibitory effect is organ-specific as well as associated with the distance between stimulation site and affected organs. The inhibitory effect of ileum electrical stimulation on rectal tone is mediated by the nitrergic but not sympathetic pathway.

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