Background and aims: Activation of corticotropin releasing factor 1 (CRF 1 ) receptors is involved in stress related responses and visceral pain, while activation of CRF 2 receptors dampens the endocrine and some behavioural stress responses. We hypothesised that CRF 2 receptor activation may influence visceral pain induced by colorectal distension (CRD) in conscious rats, and assessed the possible sites and mechanisms of action. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to CRDs (60 mm Hg, 10 minutes twice, with a 10 minute rest interval). Visceromotor responses (VMR) were measured by electromyography or visual observation. Spinal (L6-S1) extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) activation following in vivo CRD and CRF 2 receptor gene expression in the T13-S1 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord were determined. Inferior splanchnic afferent (ISA) activity to CRD (0.4 ml, 20 seconds) was assessed by electrophysiological recording in an in vitro ISA nerve-inferior mesenteric artery (intra-arterial)-colorectal preparation. Results: In controls, VMR to the second CRD was mean 31 (SEM 4)% higher than that of the first (p,0.05). The selective CRF 2 agonist, human urocortin 2 (hUcn 2, at 10 and 20 mg/kg), injected intravenous after the first distension, prevented sensitisation and reduced the second response by 8 (1)% and 30 (5)% (p,0.05) compared with the first response, respectively. RT-PCR detected CRF 2 receptor gene expression in the DRG and spinal cord. CRD (60 mm Hg for 10 minutes) induced phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in neurones of lumbosacral laminae I and IIo and the response was dampened by intravenous hUcn 2. CRD, in vitro, induced robust ISA spike activity that was dose dependently blunted by hUcn 2 (1-3 mg, intraarterially). The CRF 2 receptor antagonist, astressin 2 -B (200 mg/kg subcutaneously or 20 mg intraarterially) blocked the hUcn 2 inhibitory effects in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: Peripheral injection of hUcn 2 blunts CRD induced visceral pain, colonic afferent, and spinal L6-S1 ERK 1/2 activity through CRF 2 receptor activation in rats.

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Background and aim-Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF-), members of the EGF family of growth factors, protect rat gastric and colonic mucosa against injury. Having shown previously that exogenously applied EGF protects rat colonic mucosa against injury, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the endogenously expressed ligand mediating the protective eVect of EGF/TGF-in vivo. Methods-In an experimental model of trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)/ ethanol induced colitis in rats EGF and TGF-expression was evaluated using a ribonuclease protection assay, northern blot analysis, western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Results-TGF-mRNA increased 3-4 times at 4-8 hours after induction of colitis and returned to control levels within 24 hours. TGF-immunoreactive protein with a molecular size of about 28 kDa representing TGF-precursors increased markedly after induction of colitis with a peak at 8-12 hours. No fully processed 5.6 kDa TGF-protein was detected in normal or inflamed colon tissue. Only a weak signal for EGF mRNA expression was detected in the rat colon and no EGF protein was observed by immunohistochemistry or western blot analysis. Conclusions-TGF-precursors are the main ligands for the EGF receptor in acute colitis. It is hypothesised that TGFprecursors convey the biological activity of endogenous TGF-peptides during mucosal defence and repair.

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Omeprazole is a specific inhibitor in vivo of the functioning gastric acid pump, the H(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase), in the secretory canaliculus of the parietal cell. It has been shown previously that omeprazole in rats led to an increase in the mRNA for the alpha-subunit of the H(+)-K(+)-ATPase. Omeprazole causes a marked increase in circulating gastrin in this species, which in turn stimulates release of histamine from the enterochromaffin-like cell. The possible role of this pathway was investigated by the in vivo administration of famotidine, a potent H2 receptor antagonist. A single intraperitoneal dose of famotidine, 200 mg/kg, produced a transient hypergastrinemia peaking at 3 h and normalizing at 12 h, inhibition of secretion that lasted for 12 h, but no change in the level of the alpha-subunit mRNA or of beta-actin mRNA. In contrast, a single dose of omeprazole, 100 mg/kg, inhibited acid secretion and produced hypergastrinemia, peaking at 12 h, both effects lasting for the 24-h observation period. Omeprazole elevated the alpha-subunit mRNA transiently by more than threefold at 3 h, with normal levels being restored at 24 h. The administration of famotidine 1 h after omeprazole did not change the effects of omeprazole on acid secretion but elevated the gastrin levels further. There was now no elevation of the alpha-subunit mRNA for the first 6 h, but a small increase at 12 h and a further increase to approximately 2.5-fold at 24 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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The H(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) is expressed in the parietal cell and is responsible for acid secretion by the stomach. Histamine binds to an H2 receptor and activates adenylate cyclase and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) elevation, stimulating acid secretion. It has been shown that omeprazole administered to rats increases serum gastrin and transiently increases the level of mRNA for the alpha-subunit of the pump, but this increase is blocked by the presence of the H2-receptor antagonist, famotidine [A. Tari, G. Yamamoto, K. Sumii, M. Sumii, Y. Takehara, K. Haruma, G. Kajiyama, V. Wu, G. Sachs, and J. H. Walsh. Am. J. Physiol. 265 (Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 28): G752-G758, 1993]. These observations suggest that the release of histamine induced by gastrin is essential for the increase of the expression of mRNA induced by omeprazole. Infusion of histamine at 15 mumol.kg-1.h-1 i.v. for 1 h increased the alpha-subunit mRNA level by 144 +/- 2.4% and induced a stimulated morphological appearance of the parietal cell. These changes were inhibited completely by the competitive H2-receptor antagonist famotidine, which elevated gastric pH and serum gastrin. Famotidine also reduced the level of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase mRNA compared with control animals. No change in the expression of beta-actin mRNA was observed in any group of animals. These data provide direct evidence for histamine stimulation of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit gene expression by activation of the H2 receptor.