The receptive relaxation reflex [RRR] is acknowledged as one of the most important vagal reflex mechanisms coordinating feeding behavior with gastric function. In the classic description of the reflex, distension of the esophagus, as occurs while feeding, causes a vagally-mediated relaxation and suppression of motility. This reflex can be elicited experimentally and is assumed to allow the stomach to accept ingesta isobarically. More recent reports show, however, that the RRR must be some how suspended, or even """"""""inverted"""""""" during and after feeding since gastric transit is actually more rapid at these times than during fasting. Our own studies show that in rats fasted overnight, esophageal distention causes (as expected) a powerful gastric relaxation. Conversely, our observations in fed rats show that esophageal distention induces a significant increase in gastric tone. This feeding-related increase in gastric tone induced by esophageal distention gradually reverts back to a """"""""pure"""""""" gastric relaxation after few hours. This dramatic change in the function of such an essential vagal control reflex provides the basis for our overarching hypothesis: Neural circuits underlying vago-vagal gastrointestinal control reflexes are highly dynamic and regulated by factors associated with feeding status. We have previously shown that extrinsic factors, especially gastrointestinal hormones, directly and dramatically modulate vago-vagal reflex control of the gut. However, the specific mechanisms by which Gl hormones can reorganize a reflex response to a visceral afferent input are not well understood. We propose that a subset of gut hormones, in particular, CCK and GLP-1, act on neurons in the dorsal vagal complex to alter the availability of presynaptic catcholamine receptors in the solitary nucleus [NTS]. We propose further that this shift in receptor population has a dramatic effect on reflex neurotransmission patterns in the dorsal vagal complex. We will apply a combination of neurogastroenterological, neurophysiological and immunohistochemical methods to test these proposals. Results from these studies on mechanisms regulating the feeding-state-related switching of vago-vagal reflexes could also help explain how changes in metabolic and hormonal parameters can act to switch ingestion program generation circuits in the brainstem from a """"""""feeding"""""""" to """"""""not feeding"""""""" state.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK056373-11
Application #
7568986
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-F (03))
Program Officer
Serrano, Jose
Project Start
1999-09-01
Project End
2011-02-28
Budget Start
2009-03-01
Budget End
2011-02-28
Support Year
11
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$300,509
Indirect Cost
Name
Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
611012324
City
Baton Rouge
State
LA
Country
United States
Zip Code
70808
Vance, Katie M; Rogers, Richard C; Hermann, Gerlinda E (2015) NMDA receptors control vagal afferent excitability in the nucleus of the solitary tract. Brain Res 1595:84-91
Hermann, Gerlinda E; Viard, Edouard; Rogers, Richard C (2014) Hindbrain glucoprivation effects on gastric vagal reflex circuits and gastric motility in the rat are suppressed by the astrocyte inhibitor fluorocitrate. J Neurosci 34:10488-96
Lukewich, Mark K; Rogers, Richard C; Lomax, Alan E (2014) Divergent neuroendocrine responses to localized and systemic inflammation. Semin Immunol 26:402-8
McDougal, David H; Viard, Edouard; Hermann, Gerlinda E et al. (2013) Astrocytes in the hindbrain detect glucoprivation and regulate gastric motility. Auton Neurosci 175:61-9
Viard, Edouard; Rogers, Richard C; Hermann, Gerlinda E (2012) Systemic cholecystokinin amplifies vago-vagal reflex responses recorded in vagal motor neurones. J Physiol 590:631-46
Rogers, Richard C; Hermann, Gerlinda E (2012) Tumor necrosis factor activation of vagal afferent terminal calcium is blocked by cannabinoids. J Neurosci 32:5237-41
McDougal, David H; Hermann, Gerlinda E; Rogers, Richard C (2011) Vagal afferent stimulation activates astrocytes in the nucleus of the solitary tract via AMPA receptors: evidence of an atypical neural-glial interaction in the brainstem. J Neurosci 31:14037-45
Rogers, Richard C; McDougal, David H; Hermann, Gerlinda E (2011) Leptin amplifies the action of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in the solitary nucleus: an in vitro calcium imaging study. Brain Res 1385:47-55
Barnes, Maria J; Rogers, Richard C; Van Meter, Montina J et al. (2010) Co-localization of TRHR1 and LepRb receptors on neurons in the hindbrain of the rat. Brain Res 1355:70-85
Hermann, Gerlinda E; Van Meter, Montina J; Rood, Jennifer C et al. (2009) Proteinase-activated receptors in the nucleus of the solitary tract: evidence for glial-neural interactions in autonomic control of the stomach. J Neurosci 29:9292-300

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