Acid sensitivity of the spinal dorsal root ganglia C-fiber nociceptors innervating the guinea pig esophagus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux can cause high acidity in the esophagus and trigger heartburn and pain. However, because of the esophageal mucosal barrier, the acidity at the nerve terminals of pain-mediating C-fibers in esophageal mucosa is predicted to be substantially lower. We hypothesized that the esophageal dorsal root ganglia (DRG) C-fibers are activated by mild acid (compared to acidic reflux), and express receptors and ion channels highly sensitive to acid.

Methods

Extracellular single unit recordings of activity originating in esophageal DRG C-fiber nerve terminals were performed in the innervated esophagus preparation ex vivo. Acid was delivered in a manner that bypassed the esophageal mucosal barrier. The expression of mRNA for selected receptors in esophagus-

SUBMITTER: Ru F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4446164 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature