Effect of bombesin on esophageal motility in humans

Abstract

We have investigated the effect of bombesin on esophageal motility and explored the mechanism of action of bombesin. Eight healthy subjects were studied in random order during intravenous administration of (1) bombesin, (2) bombesin + vagal cholinergic receptor blockade with atropine and (3) bombesin + somatostatin. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and esophageal body motility were recorded continuously by Dent-sleeve manometry. Bombesin significantly (p < 0.01) increased LESP from 20 +/- 2 mmHg to 43 +/- 6 mmHg. Neither atropine nor somatostatin significantly reduced the bombesin-induced increases in LESP. Bombesin significantly (p<0.05) increased peristaltic wave amplitude (from 61 +/- 4 to 105 +/- 9 mmHg) and duration (from 2.9 +/- 0.2 to 4.8 +/- 0.3 s) in the mid and distal part of the esophagus. Neither atropine nor somatostatin significantly reduced the esophageal body motor response to bombesin. In conclusion (1) bombesin significantly increases LESP and affects esophageal body motility by increasing peristaltic wave amplitude and duration and (2) the effect of bombesin on esophageal motility is not dependent on vagal cholinergic mechanisms and is not mediated by the action of gastrointestinal hormones released by bombesin.

Mechanism of bombesin-induced tonic contraction of the porcine lower esophageal sphincter

“…Although previous studies found that bombesin can increase LES contraction in opossums and LES pressure in humans, the bombesin receptor subtypes involved and the underlying mechanism are still not clear 13 14 . Here, we used porcine LES to investigate which of the bombesin receptor subtypes, BB 1 , BB 2 , and BB 3 , are involved in bombesin-induced LES contraction.…”

“…Bombesin increases the LES pressure in humans and can affect esophageal motility by increasing peristaltic wave amplitude and duration. Neither the effects of vagal cholinergic agents nor the release of gastrointestinal hormones caused by bombesin are considered to be related to the mechanism of action of bombesin on esophageal motility in humans 14 .…”