Galanin: Distribution and Effect on Contractile Activity and Release of Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide from the Isolated Perfused Porcine Ileum

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In the pig ileum galanin (GAL)-like immunoreactivity was identified in nerve cell bodies of the submucous plexus and in nerve fibers of the circular and longitudinal muscle layer. Infusion of 5• 10-10–10-8M of GAL into the arterial line of the isolated perfused porcine ileum decreased the frequency of spontaneous phasic contractions in a dose-dependent manner. The frequency of phasic contractions during maximal inhibition by GAL 10-8M was 13 ± 4% (mean ± SE) of basal frequency (p < 0.05). The recovery from inhibition by GAL 10-8M lasted 16 ± 1 min. Tonic contractions were not observed in this experimental set-up, neither by standard perfused catheter manometry nor by measurement of cross-sectional area of an intraluminally located balloon. Infusion of GAL 10-8 M decreased the venous release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide to 80 ± 8% of basal release (p < 0.05). It is concluded that GAL may participate in the regulation of small intestinal motility in the pig.