Fig. 3.

Mesenteric lymphatic fluid (MLF) induces transient increases in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) and modulates the [Ca²⁺]_i response to capsaicin (Cap) and allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) in sensory neurons. Primary cultured dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were dispersed, plated on 18 coverslips, and treated with MLF from fasted (gray bars) or fed (black bars) animals, Cap, or allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) as described in Fig. 2. MLF added to total neuronal population of cells significantly induced transient increases in [Ca²⁺]_i. Significant differences in transient increases in [Ca²⁺]_i in response to postprandial MLF were seen in sensory neurons responsive to Cap and AITC. Additionally, both Cap and AITC transient increases in [Ca²⁺]_i were significantly enhanced in the presence of fed lymph. Greater than 400 neurons were examined in 3 independent cultures from 3 mice. Bars are means ± SE (n = 3 animals). NFR, normalized fura-2 AM response; NS, not significant. *P < 0.05, ***P < 0.001. Statistical analysis was by ANOVA using Tukey's post hoc test.