Changes in neuromuscular transmission in the W/W(v) mouse internal anal sphincter.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-IM) have been shown to participate in nitrergic neuromuscular transmission (NMT) in various regions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but their role in the internal anal sphincter (IAS) is still uncertain. Contractile studies of the IAS in the W/W(v) mouse (a model in which ICC-IM numbers are markedly reduced) have reported that nitrergic NMT persists and that ICC-IM are not required. However, neither the changes in electrical events underlying NMT nor the contributions of other non-nitrergic neural pathways have been examined in this model.

Methods

The role of ICC-IM in NMT was examined by recording the contractile and electrical events associated with electrical field stimulation (EFS) of motor neurons in the IAS

SUBMITTER: Duffy AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3245326 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature