Skip to main content
PMC home page
Gut logoLink to Gut
. 1994 Oct;35(10):1356–1359. doi: 10.1136/gut.35.10.1356

Beta adrenergic modulation of human upper intestinal propulsive forces.

N K Ahluwalia 1, D G Thompson 1, J Barlow 1, L Heggie 1
PMCID: PMC1375003  PMID: 7959185

Abstract

beta Adrenoceptor blockade is known to accelerate transit through the small intestine without changing either the number or pattern of intestinal contractions. This study therefore tested the hypothesis that an increase in intraluminal aboral propulsive force may contribute to this transit acceleration. Twenty paired studies were performed, in 10 healthy volunteers, after oral administration of either 100 mg atenolol (a selective beta 1 antagonist) or matched dummy tablets according to a double blind, randomised protocol. The frequency of occurrence of, and the propulsive force exerted by, traction events related to intestinal contractions were measured, using a combined traction force detector and manometry assembly. After atenolol, a consistent increase in the force generated per traction event was noted, both for propagating contractions mean (SEM) (12.0 (1.8) g v control 5.9 (0.07) g; p < 0.05) and for stationary (11.6 (1.4) g v control 7.0 (0.7) g; p < 0.05). In contrast no change in the number of traction events was noted (control v atenolol = 1.6 (0.3) v 1.64 (0.4) per min for propagating and 0.7 (0.1) v 0.85 (0.16) per min for stationary contraction; p > 0.05). beta Adrenoceptor blockade thus increases the propulsive force generated by intestinal contractions, possibly by removing a sympathetic neural inhibition of intestinal tone.

Full text

PDF
1356

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Ahluwalia N. K., Thompson D. G., Barlow J., Heggie L. Human small intestinal contractions and aboral traction forces during fasting and after feeding. Gut. 1994 May;35(5):625–630. doi: 10.1136/gut.35.5.625. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Arner A. Mechanical characteristics of chemically skinned guinea-pig taenia coli. Pflugers Arch. 1982 Dec;395(4):277–284. doi: 10.1007/BF00580790. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Gordon A. R. Contraction of detergent-treated smooth muscle. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1978 Jul;75(7):3527–3530. doi: 10.1073/pnas.75.7.3527. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. McIntyre A. S., Thompson D. G., Day S., Burnham W. R., Walker E. R. Modulation of human upper intestinal nutrient transit by a beta adrenoreceptor mediated pathway. Gut. 1992 Aug;33(8):1062–1070. doi: 10.1136/gut.33.8.1062. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. O'Brien J. D., Thompson D. G., Day S. J., Burnham W. R., Walker E. Perturbation of upper gastrointestinal transit and antroduodenal motility by experimentally applied stress: the role of beta-adrenoreceptor mediated pathways. Gut. 1989 Nov;30(11):1530–1539. doi: 10.1136/gut.30.11.1530. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. RAMORINO M. L., COLAGRANDE C. INTESTINAL MOTILITY: PRELIMINARY STUDIES WITH TELEMETERING CAPSULES AND SYNCHRONIZED FLUOROCINEMATOGRAPHY. Am J Dig Dis. 1964 Jan;9:64–71. doi: 10.1007/BF02232680. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Rouillon J. M., Azpiroz F., Malagelada J. R. Reflex changes in intestinal tone: relationship to perception. Am J Physiol. 1991 Aug;261(2 Pt 1):G280–G286. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.1991.261.2.G280. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Salimi M. Comparison of beta-adrenoceptor blocking properties of sotalol, oxprenolol, propranolol and pindolol on rabbit intestinal smooth muscle. Pharmacology. 1975;13(5):441–447. doi: 10.1159/000136936. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Sarna S. K., Soergel K. H., Harig J. M., Loo F. D., Wood C. M., Donahue K. M., Ryan R. P., Arndorfer R. C. Spatial and temporal patterns of human jejunal contractions. Am J Physiol. 1989 Sep;257(3 Pt 1):G423–G432. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.1989.257.3.G423. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Schemann M., Ehrlein H. J. Postprandial patterns of canine jejunal motility and transit of luminal content. Gastroenterology. 1986 Apr;90(4):991–1000. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(86)90878-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Siegle M. L., Ehrlein H. J. Digestive motor patterns and transit of luminal contents in canine ileum. Am J Physiol. 1988 Apr;254(4 Pt 1):G552–G559. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.1988.254.4.G552. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Vassallo M. J., Camilleri M., Prather C. M., Hanson R. B., Thomforde G. M. Measurement of axial forces during emptying from the human stomach. Am J Physiol. 1992 Aug;263(2 Pt 1):G230–G239. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.1992.263.2.G230. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Williams D., Thompson D. G., Marples M., Heggie L., O'Hanrahan T., Mani V., Bancewicz J. Identification of an abnormal esophageal clearance response to intraluminal distention in patients with esophagitis. Gastroenterology. 1992 Sep;103(3):943–953. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(92)90028-w. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Gut are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES