Direct effects of motilin on isolated smooth muscle from various regions of the human stomach

The effects of motilin on gastrointestinal muscles show great variations in different organs and different species. For a precise regional differentiation, we recorded the mechanical activity of longitudinal and circular strips from fundus, corpus and antrum and of circular preparations from the inner and outer layer of the pyloric sphincter and from the duodenum (20 human stomachs). Motilin produced excitatory effects on the mechanical activity of the circular muscle strips from all regions of the human stomach including the pylorus. The effects on longitudinal preparations and on duodenal strips were weak. The most striking effect was an increase of phasic activity (amplitude) in circular antrum preparations, which exceeded the acetylcholine- and bombesin-induced activity. In pylorus preparations, a strong stimulation of phasic activity was observed with a transition to tonic activity in the inner layer of the pyloric ring at high motilin concentrations. The motilin-induced activity of the pyloric preparations was greater than the acetylcholine-induced contractions and even exceeded the bombesin-induced responses in the outer pylorus. The responses of the muscle strips of the proximal stomach (fundus and corpus) were weaker and did not exceed the acetylcholine-induced activity. All effects remained unaltered by atropine and tetrodotoxin application. The study confirms that motilin can interact directly with the smooth muscle of human stomach.     

Concentrations and contractile effects of substance P in the human ampullary-isthmic junction

From 20 women undergoing hysterectomy, strip preparations were isolated from the outer, longitudinal and the inner, circular smooth muscle layer of the ampullary-isthmic junction (AIJ), together with small arterial segments dissected as ring preparations from the root of the mesosalpinx. The specimens were mounted in organ baths and isometric tension was recorded. In addition, tissue concentrations of substance P (SP) in the ampulla, AIJ and utero-tubal junction were determined by radioimmunoassay. Tissue concentrations of SP expressed as pmol X g tissue-1 (wet weight, +/- SE) amounted to 3.09 +/- 1.40 in the utero-tubal junction, 1.08 +/- 0.299 in the AIJ and 0.742 +/- 0.299 in the ampulla. In strips of circular muscle, SP at concentrations of 10(-7) -3 X 10(-6) mol X l-1 elicited a combined phasic and tonic response and in longitudinal muscle a mainly tonic contraction was produced. In both tissues, contractions elicited by SP were rapidly abolished in calcium-free medium. Nifedipine abolished the phasic contraction elicited in circular muscle by SP while the tonic response was resistant. The contraction in longitudinal muscle was reduced by 20-30%. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) decreased tension in preparations contracted by SP, prostaglandin F2 alpha and K+-depolarization (124 mmol X l(-1). In unstimulated oviductal arterial preparations, SP had no effect, while the peptide induced a transient relaxation of noradrenaline contracted preparations, and slightly decreased tension of K+-depolarized vessels. The results suggest that SP may be involved in the control of motility of the human AIJ.     

Spike-free activation mechanism in smooth muscle of guinea-pig stomach

Electrical and mechanical activity of circular muscle strips of guinea-pigs stomach, taken from the distal corpus/proximal antrum region, were recorded. Spontaneous activity consisting of phasic contractions combined with bursts of spike potentials was suppressed by verapamil (5-10-6 - 2-10-5 mol/l). Under these conditions acetylcholine produced a spike-free tonic activation. Under normal conditions phasic contractions were superimposed on this tonic activation. The acetylcholine-induced activation, therefore, consists of two different components, one of which can be selectively blocked with verapamil. Both components disappear quickly in calcium-free solution. It can be concluded that two different calcium activation systems are responsible for the two components of activation. In comparative studies with taenia coli preparations a comparable spike-free tonic activation was not found.     

Activation of gastro-intestinal smooth muscle induced by the calcium ionophore A23187

Summary Tension development was recorded in isolated smooth muscle preparations from the guineapig, namely circular strips from the fundus and antrum region of the stomach, and taenia coli. The calcium ionophore A23187 (2·10^–6–2·10^–5 mol/l) induced maximum activity in fundus and taenia coli, and in antrum an activity slightly smaller than that obtained with acetylcholine (ACh) (5·10^–6 mol/l). The ionophore-induced activity could be suppressed by so-called calcium antagonists: D600 (3·10^–6 mol/l) suppressed the ionophore-induced activity of taenia coli completely; phasic and tonic components in the stomach preparations were selectively suppressed by D600 and sodium nitroprusside (10^–6 mol/l), respectively.     

Mechanism of action of cholecystokinin octapeptide on rat antrum, pylorus, and duodenum

The mechanism of action of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-OP) on tonic and phasic contraction of antral, pyloric, and duodenal smooth muscles was studied with a novel perfusion manometric system in isolated esophagogastroduodenal preparations of the rat. CCK-OP increased baseline pressure at each site, frequencies of phasic contractions in the antrum and pylorus, and amplitudes in the duodenum. It decreased antral and pyloric amplitudes and frequency of duodenal phasic contractions. CCK-OP action on tonic contraction was tetradotoxin (TTX) susceptible and its action on phasic contractions was TTX resistant. Phentolamine, phenoxybenzamine, propranolol, catecholamine depletion of preparations by reserpine-tetrabenazine, and the block of catecholamine synthesis at different levels significantly inhibited CCK-OP-induced tonic contraction, whereas atropine had no influence. Adrenergic and cholinergic neural actions on phasic contractions altered the level of amplitudes and frequencies on which CCK-OP action occurred. It is concluded that CCK-OP action on tonic contraction of the rat gastroduodenal junction is mediated by a neural noncholinergic pathway, whereas its effect on muscles responsible for phasic contractions is a direct one.     

Some differences in contractile responses of isolated longitudinal and circular muscle from the guinea-pig stomach.

The mechanical and electrical properties of the longitudinal (fundus and corpus) and circular (antrum) muscle fibres of the guinea-pig stomach were investigated. 1. In the longitudinal but not in the circular muscle isotonic K Krebs and Na-free (sucrose) Krebs solutions produced a contracture with a tonic component. The different mechanical responses were not accompanied by different membrane responses. Verapamil abolished both phasic and tonic components of K-induced contracture. 2. During the tonic response of the K-induced contracture, repolarization of the membrane by current pulses relaxed the tissue; after cessation of the current pulse, rebound contracture occurred. In the circular muscle, the Q10 value for the rate of relaxation induced by inward current pulse was 3-1 and for the development of rebound contracture was 2-4. 3. After the tissue had been immersed in Ca-free isotonic K Krebs solution, application of Ca produced a large contracture in the longitudinal muscle, but contracture in the circular muscle was small or absent. However, the amplitude of subsequent carbachol-induced contracture in the above solution was enlarged in proportion to the durations of Ca treatment in both tissues. 4. Direct tetanic electrical stimulation could produce tension in both tissues. With low frequency of stimulation (0-1 Hz) a positive staircase was observed in the circular but not in the longitudinal muscle. 5. It is concluded from these results that topical differences of the motility in the stomach may be due not only to the activity of nervous elements, but also to differences in the properties of the muscle fibres themselves.     

Phasic and tonic contractions of rabbit intestinal muscle.

The effects of a single electrical stimulus upon the longitudinal and circular muscles of rabbit small intestine were investigated and the differentiation between phasic and tonic contractions was examined. A weak stimulus caused a phasic contraction and a stronger stimulus evoked both phasic and tonic contractions. The evoked phasic contraction was of an all-or-nothing nature, while the evoked tonic contraction was graded. Strength-duration curves of longitudinal and circular muscles were obts of rheobase and chronaxie. In the presence of verapamil or methoxyverapamil (D 600) the tonic contraction, but not the phasic contraction, could be evoked by a single strong stimulus, while in the presence of sodium nitroprusside the phasic contraction, but not the tonic contraction, could be provoked by a single strong stimulus. The phasic and tonic contractions differed in their strength-duration curves and drug responses.     

Muscarinic regulation of pacemaker frequency in murine gastric interstitial cells of Cajal

Peristaltic contractions in the stomach are regulated by the spread of electrical slow waves from the corpus to the pylorus. Gastric slow waves are generated and propagated by the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). All regions distal to the dominant pacemaker area in the corpus are capable of generating slow waves, but orderly gastric peristalsis depends upon a frequency gradient in which the corpus pacemaker frequency exceeds the antral frequency. Cholinergic, muscarinic stimulation enhances pacemaker frequency. We investigated this phenomenon using intact murine gastric muscles and cultured ICC. Acetylcholine (ACh) increased the frequency of slow waves in antrum and corpus muscles. The increase was significantly greater in the antrum. ACh and carbachol (CCh) increased the pacemaker currents in cultured ICC. At high doses of CCh, transient pacemaker currents fused into sustained inward currents that persisted for the duration of stimulation. The effects of CCh were blocked by low doses of the M₃ receptor antagonist 1-dimethyl-4-diphenylacetoxypiperidinium. Frequency enhancement by CCh was not affected by forskolin, but the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 inhibited both the increase in frequency and the development of tonic inward currents. 2-Aminoethyldiphenyl borate also blocked the chronotropic responses to CCh. Inhibitors of protein kinase C did not block responses to CCh. These studies show that mice are an excellent model for studying mechanisms that regulate gastric slow-wave frequency. CCh, apparently via production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, accelerates the frequency of pacemaker activity. High concentrations of CCh may block the entrainment of pacemaker currents, resulting in a tonic inward current.     

Effects of some autonomic drugs on duodenal smooth muscle.

Longitudinal muscle strips (LMS) and circular muscle strips (CMS), 2 mm wide and 1.5--2 cm long, from opossum duodenum were exposed to some autonomic agonists. The cholinergic agonists, acetylcholine, carbachol, methacholine, and bethanechol stimulated only tonic contractions in LMS and tonic followed by phasic contractions in CMS. These effects were abolished by atropine 10(-6) M. The ED50S of all cholinergic agonists for LMS were significantly lower than for CMS. Norepinephrine caused initial contraction (abolished by phenoxybenzamine, 10(-4) M), followed by relaxation (abolished by propranolol, 10(-5) M), and isopropylnorepinephrine caused relaxation (abolished by propranolol, 10(-5) M) in both layers. There were no differences in relative potencies for adrenergic agonists between the layers. Tetrodotoxin did not affect the response to adrenergic agonists. Thus, the potency of cholinergic agonists is greater in longitudinal than in circular muscle, and the layers respond differently to cholinergic agonists. The alpha-adrenergic receptors mediate contraction and beta-adrenergic receptors mediate relaxation on the duodenal smooth muscle.     

Electrical basis of contractions in the muscle layers of the pig colon

Simultaneous in vitro measurements of electrical and mechanical activities were performed, using suction electrodes and force transducers, respectively, on longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the pig proximal colon. In addition, circular muscle strips were studied with the sucrose gap technique. Spontaneous activity was present in both preparations. In the circular muscle, slow waves with superimposed spikes occurred at a variable frequency, accompanied by phasic contractions. Longitudinal muscle preparations showed a different behavior. Regular appearance of distinct slow waves as described for the circular muscle did not occur. Instead, periods of membrane potential oscillations at a frequency of 41 cycles/min and a duration of approximately 12 s were observed in this layer. Most oscillations had superimposed spikes, and each period of oscillations was associated with a contraction. Spontaneous activity in the circular layer was myogenic in nature but susceptible to innervation and stretch. In contrast, an excitatory stimulus (acetylcholine or stretch) was a prerequisite for activity in the longitudinal layer. Cholinomimetics increased and adrenergic agents decreased the frequency of the slow waves and spiking activity and frequency and force of contractions in the circular muscle. Cholinergic agents increased the activity in the longitudinal muscle into continuous electrical oscillations with spiking activity and concomitant tonic contractile activity, whereas adrenergic agents abolished electrical and mechanical activity. Spontaneous release of acetylcholine occurred, partly due to regenerative activity of myenteric cholinergic nerves. In addition, tonic activity in the noncholinergic nonadrenergic inhibitory neurons decreased circular muscle tone.     

Regulatory mechanisms for the spontaneous contractile force and frequency of the rat portal vein]

By the extracellular recording technique, the action potentials and spontaneous contractions of the isolated rat longitudinal portal vein strips were simultaneously recorded in the presence of varying concentrations of electrolytes, various vasoactive agents, and hormones, and the mechanisms regulating the force and frequency of spontaneous contraction of the vascular smooth muscle were investigated. A longitudinal stretch (-200% of the initial length), a higher [K+]0 (-30 mM), a lower [Na+]0, epinephrine, acetylcholine or ouabain increased both force and frequency of the phasic contractions. A lower [Na+]0 or ouabain raised basal tone of the muscle in addition to the above effects. A higher [Ca++]0 increased the contractile force, while it decreased the frequency. A lower [Ca++]0, calcium channel blocker or VIP reduced the contractile force but increased the contractile frequency. A bigger force and a higher frequency of the phasic contractions were exhibited in the portal vein strips isolated from rats with CCl4-induced experimental portal vein hypertension. They were similar to responses of the strips from the intact rats to stretch, ouabain, or higher [Ca++]0 in the presence of lower [Na+]0. These results suggest that an initiation and force of the phasic and tonic contractions depend on extracellular Ca++ concentration and influx of Ca++, and frequency of the phasic contractions, mainly on membrane potential rather than on extracellular Ca++ concentration. In the portal hypertension, permeability of the cell membrane to Ca++ is possibly increased.     

Regional variation in ICC distribution, pacemaking activity and neural responses in the longitudinal muscle of the murine stomach

Intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-IM) play a critical role in enteric neural regulation of the circular muscle layer in the stomach, but no studies have been performed on the longitudinal layer. Kit immunohistochemistry was used to examine ICC-IM in the longitudinal muscle layer of the murine corpus and antrum, and it revealed marked heterogeneity in the distribution of ICC-IM in longitudinal muscles. In the corpus, ICC-IM were found along the greater curvature near the fundus. ICC-IM decreased in density in the circumferential axis toward the lesser curvature and in the longitudinal axis toward the antrum. ICC-IM were absent from the longitudinal layer of the antrum. Double labelling with markers for specific classes of enteric motor neurones revealed that cholinergic and nitrergic motor neurones formed close contacts with ICC-IM in the corpus but not in the antrum. Enteric nerve stimulation evoked prominent cholinergic excitatory and nitrergic inhibitory responses in longitudinal muscles of the corpus, but not in the antrum of wild-type animals. Cholinergic and nitrergic nerves were also present in W/W^V mice, but functional innervation of the longitudinal muscle layer by these nerves in the corpus and antrum were absent. The data show that cholinergic and nitrergic neurotransmission only occurs in the gastric longitudinal layer in regions where ICC-IM are present. In regions, such as the corpus, where ICC-IM are common, robust neural responses are present, but the reduced density of ICC-IM near the lesser curvature and in the distal stomach leads to reduced neural regulation in these gastric regions.     

Different effects of neuropeptide Y on electrically induced contractions in the longitudinal and circular smooth muscle layers of the female rabbit urethra

The effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on preparations of isolated longitudinal and circular smooth muscle from rabbit urethra were studied. In both types of muscle, electrically induced contractions and relaxations could be abolished by tetrodotoxin, (TTX). In the longitudinal muscle preparations the contraction was slightly reduced by prazosin, but markedly reduced by scopolamine and NPY. The NPY effect was not influenced by pretreatment with rauwolscine. Pretreatment with NPY had no effect on contractions induced by noradrenaline (NA) or carbachol and the peptide did not relax preparations contracted by these agents. In circular muscle an initial, fast response, not sensitive to prazosin or scopolamine was occasionally observed following electrical stimulation. A slow contraction component was regularly seen; this response was abolished by prazosin. Neuropeptide Y did not influence any of these responses. The preparations were concentration-dependently contracted by NA, whereas carbachol had no effect. Pretreatment with NPY did not affect contractions induced by NA, nor did the peptide relax NA-contracted preparations. In neither longitudinal nor circular muscle strips did NPY affect the electrically induced TTX sensitive relaxation of NA-contracted preparations. The results suggest that in the rabbit urethra NPY reduces contractions in the longitudinal muscle layer by selectively inhibiting the release of acetylcholine from cholinergic nerves. Neuropeptide Y did not appear to have any significant postjunctional effects nor to interfere with the release, or effects of NA or other transmitter agents. The physiological importance of the urethral effects of NPY remains to be established.     

Effects of some peptides on isolated human penile erectile tissue and cavernous artery

Contractant and relaxant effects of four peptides known to occur in nerves innervating human penile vessels and erectile tissue, namely substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and somatostatin, were studied in isolated preparations from the corpus cavernosum (CC), corpus spongiosum (CS) and cavernous artery (Acc). In addition, the actions of another peptide, arginine vasopressin (AVP), were investigated. In erectile tissue proper, SP induced concentration-dependent contractions. No effect of this peptide was observed in Acc segments. CC and CS preparations contracted by noradrenaline (NA) were relaxed by 30-40%; the effect in NA-contracted Acc preparations was inconsistent. AVP had a potent contractant effect in preparations from all the tissues studied, the effect being most conspicuous in CS strips. VIP was without contractant actions in any of the preparations. NA-contracted preparations were relaxed by VIP, and electrically induced contractions inhibited. The inhibitory effect was particularly marked in electrically stimulated CC and CS preparations. NPY had no effects; somatostatin contracted Acc segments, and in high concentrations CC and CS strips. It is concluded that among the peptides studied only VIP has effects compatible with a role as a neurotransmitter in penile erection.     

Effect of neurotensin on contractile activity and [3H]acetylcholine release in cat terminal ileum during different postnatal periods.

The effect of neurotensin (NT) on the contractile activity of circular and longitudinal strips from the terminal ileum of 15-, 30-, 60-day-old and adult cats as well as on the resting and electrically-evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine (ACh) was studied. Radioactivity was measured by liquid scintillation spectrometry and the effect of NT was evaluated by the S2/S1 ratio. In the circular muscle strips NT (1-100 nM) inhibited spontaneous contractions in all age groups. In the longitudinal strips the effect of NT was concentration- and age-dependent. NT at a concentration of 1 nM had no effect on the spontaneous activity in 15-day-old cats, but in the other age groups in 70-80% of the cats it inhibited spontaneous contractions. The response to 10 and 100 nM NT was either biphasic (relaxation followed by contraction) or inhibitory: in 15-day-old cats the response was biphasic only and with increasing age the percentage of strips responding with inhibition of the contractions increased. Neither substances affecting adrenergic and cholinergic transmission nor TTX changed the inhibitory response to NT. The contractile component of the biphasic response was TTX-resistant in all age groups and was significantly decreased by scopolamine in 60-day-old and adult cats. NT increased both resting and electrically-evoked release of [3H]ACh which was not changed by TTX. In the presence of the peptide the S2/S1 ratio increased as NT-induced [3H]ACh release in the strips of adult cats was higher than that in young cats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal and gap junction protein,Cx 43 in the stomach of wild-type and W/Wv mutant mice

The distribution of different subtypes of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the tunica muscularis of the stomach of wild-type and W/W (v) mice was studied by immunohistochemical staining for Kit. Special attention was also given to the distribution of the gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx 43) immunoreactivity. Kit-immunoreactive cells of the circular and longitudinal muscle layers (ICC-CM and ICC-LM) were densely distributed throughout the cardia, fundus, the squamous epithelial portion of the corpus and the pylorus, but they were decreased in number within the glandular epithelial portion of the corpus. Kit-immunoreactive cells of the myenteric region (ICC-AP) emerged slightly proximal to the squamous-glandular epithelial transition and increased in number towards the pylorus. Kit-positive cells were also observed at the submucosal border of the circular muscle layer (ICC-SM). ICC-CM and ICC-LM were not observed in the stomachs of W/W (v) mice, but a few ICC-AP were observed in the pylorus. Cx 43 immunoreactive deposits were only sparsely distributed in the circular muscle layers of the cardia, fundus and the squamous epithelial portion of corpus. However, the Cx 43 immunoreactive deposits were densely distributed in the glandular epithelial portion of the corpus that contained fewer ICC-CM. Cx 43 immunoreactive deposits were rare in the circular muscle layer of the pylorus. No Cx 43 immunoreactivity was detected in the longitudinal muscle layer throughout the whole stomach. The distribution of Cx 43 immunoreactivity in the W/W (v) mouse stomach was almost the same as in wild-type mice. The functional significance of each type of ICC at each region is discussed in reference to regional differences in the distribution of both ICC and Cx 43, and differences between wild-type and W/W (v) mice.     

The effect of duodenal infusion on the electromyogram of gastric muscle during activation and inhibition of gastric emptying.

1. When the abomasum of the conscious calf is partially distended, rhythmic motility can readily be recorded from the e.m.g. of the smooth muscle of the fundus (body) and antrum. 2. In gastric evacuation rhythmic contractions of the antrum are reinforced by both rhythmic and tonic fundic contractions. 3. The output volume of the stomach can be directly correlated with e.m.g. activity. 4. Intragastric fluid is usually emptied in gushes coinciding with a strong contraction of the antrum but fluid may be evacuated, when the antrum is inactive, through the force generated by persisting rhythmic fundic contractions. 5. Using re-entrant cannulae so that the duodenum can be infused separately from the gastric effluent, isotonic sodium bicarbonate produced almost 100% gastric evacuation with greatly enhanced e.m.g. activity of fundus and antrum. Infusion of the duodenum with a solution of HCl, 60 m-equiv/l., produced the opposite effect, the gastric muscle becoming quiescent and 100% of the gastric test meal being retained. 6. These results show that the activating or inhibitory effects of a duodenal infusate are produced through an activating or inhibitory effect on the smooth muscle of the stomach. 7. The mechanism of the interrelation between duodenal receptor and gastric effector has not yet been elucidated but the connexion is not intramural since it continues when the duodenum is transected near to the pylorus.     

长爪沙鼠胃肠道Cajal间质细胞的形态学

目的 探讨长爪沙鼠胃肠道Cajal间质细胞（ICCs）的形态和分布规律。 方法 采用10只成年长爪沙鼠,体重50~70g,取胃、小肠、结肠制作冷冻切片,结合全层铺片的c-Kit免疫荧光染色。结果 ICCs呈网络状分布于整个胃肠道,不同部位ICCs的分布及形态有所不同。在胃底部,仅见肌内ICCs(ICC-IM）,而在胃体和胃窦部除ICC-IM外,可见肌间ICCs(ICC-MY)分布在肌间神经丛周围;其细胞密度胃底ICC-IM最多,由胃底至胃窦逐渐减少,而ICC-MY由胃体至胃窦逐渐增多。在小肠可见ICC-IM, ICC-MY和深肌层ICCs(ICC-DMP)3个亚群,结肠管壁内也分布有ICC-IM、ICC-MY和黏膜下ICCs(ICC-SM)3个亚群。结论 沙鼠可用于有关ICCs正常形态、结构及功能的研究。     

Prostaglandin synthesis by microsomes of circular and longitudinal gastrointestinal muscles

Experiments were performed to determine whether longitudinal and circular muscles from various regions of stomach and small bowel had the capacity to convert arachidonic acid (AA) to prostaglandins (PGs). PG production by the microsomal fractions of isolated muscles was assayed by determining the conversion of [14C]AA to 14C-labeled 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGF2 alpha, PGE2, PGD2, PGA2, and thromboxane B2. Individual PGs were identified by thin-layer chromatography. The metabolism of [14C]AA to [14C]PGs was linearly related to substrate concentration, enzyme concentration, and incubation time at 37 degrees C and was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by indomethacin. Longitudinal and circular muscles from all tested regions (corpus, fundus, antrum, pylorus, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) synthesized PGs. In all regions the major end products of AA metabolism were 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGE2, and PGF2 alpha. The data indicate that circular and longitudinal muscles from all regions of the stomach and small bowel contain the enzymatic apparatus necessary to convert AA into prostaglandins.     

Reflex co-ordination of corporal and antral contractions in the conscious dog

This study characterizes the role of extrinsic nerves in the co-ordination of corporal and antral contractions in the dog. Fasting motor activity was recorded in conscious dogs with stomachs previously divided into separate corporal and antral pouches. Both corpus and antrum showed synchronized phases of activity and quiescence recognizable as migrating motor complexes (MMCs, duration 81.2 +/- 9.6 min, n = 4). Moreover, individual contractions were temporally linked such that corpus contractions, occurring at 76 +/- 4 s intervals, were each followed by a burst of one to three antral contractions at a frequency of 4-5 min-1. The mean latency between the onset of individual contractions in the corpus and antrum was 10.9 +/- 2.6 s (n = 4). Denervation of the antral pouch in two additional dogs did not affect the MMC cycle (mean durations 106.6 and 82.1 min) and the onset of activity in the corpus and antrum was generally co-ordinated but less precise. However, individual antral contractions were no longer linked to corporal contractions, occurring randomly throughout the corpus contraction cycle. This was associated with a lower contraction frequency in the denervated antral pouches than in the corpus (0.3 +/- 0.1 min-1 compared to 0.6 +/- 0.08 min-1). It is proposed that a vagal reflex, excited by corporal tension receptors, provides phasic excitation facilitating the generation of antral contractions. Such a reflex is likely to reinforce the myogenic mechanisms which occur in the intact stomach and thus plays a role in co-ordinating gastric peristalsis.