Sensory Nerves and Neuropeptides in Gastroenterology

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

   PDF

2. Capsaicin as a Tool for Studying Sensory Neuron Functions

   • Peter Holzer

   Pages 3-16

3. Chemical Coding of Neurons in the Gastrointestinal Tract

   • M. Costa, S. Brookes, P. Steele, J. Vickers

   Pages 17-27

4. Occurrence and Distribution of Substance P- and CGRP-Containing Nerve Fibers in Gastric Mucosa: Species Differences

   • F. Sundler, E. Ekblad, R. Håkanson

   Pages 29-37

5. Tachykinin and Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Immunoreactivities and Mrnas in the Mammalian Enteric Nervous System and Sensory Ganglia

   • Catia Sternini

   Pages 39-51

6. Peptides and their Receptors on Afferent Neurons to the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

   • G. J. Dockray, E. R. Forster, S. M. Louis

   Pages 53-62

7. Activation of Sensory Nerves by Kinins: Pharmacologic Tools for Studying Kinin Receptors

   • D. Regoli, N.-E. Rhaleb, N. Rouissi, C. Tousignant, D. Jukic, C. Drapeau

   Pages 63-74

8. Evolutionary Aspects in the Peripheral Peptidergic Signals: CRF-Like Peptides and Modulation of G.I. Functions

   • Giovanna Improta

   Pages 75-83

9. Gastric and Jejunal Ultrastructure in Capsaicin-Treated Rats with and without Experimental Ulcer

   • Carl J. Pfeiffer, Stefano Evangelista

   Pages 85-96

10. Afferent Nerve-Mediated Control of Gastric Mucosal Blood Flow and Protection

    • Peter Holzer

    Pages 97-108

11. Vagal Afferent Innervation and Regulation of Gastric Function

    • Helen E. Raybould, Peter Holzer, Gerard Thiefin, Helge H. Holzer, Masashi Yoneda, Yvette F. Tache

    Pages 109-127

12. Decrease of Duodenal Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide- and Substance P-Like Immunoreactivity in Rat Duodenal Ulcers

    • Daniela Renzi, Stefano Evangelista, Paola Mantellini, Calogero Surrenti

    Pages 129-135

13. Opioid-Sensitive Peripheral Neuronal Activity in the Modulation of Gastric Mucosal Injury

    • J. V. Esplugues, B. J. R. Whittle

    Pages 137-146

14. Relationship between Sensory Neuropeptides and other Local Vasoactive Mediators in Modulating Gastric Mucosal Integrity

    • Brendan J. R. Whittle

    Pages 147-156

15. Effect of Substance P and Related Neurokinins on Gastric Acid Secretion

    • G. Coruzzi, M. Adami, G. Bertaccini

    Pages 157-165

16. Effect of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) on Aspirin- and Ethanol-Induced Injury in the Rat Stomach

    • Irmgard Theresia Lippe

    Pages 167-174

17. Visceral Pain: Pathophysiology and Clinical Aspects

    • Paolo Procacci, Marco Maresca, Riccardo Maria Cersosimo

    Pages 175-181

18. Central and Peripheral Actions of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide on Gastric Secretory and Motor Function

    • Yvette Taché, Helen Raybould, Jen Yu Wei

    Pages 183-198

19. Sensory Nerves of the Intestines: Role in Control of Pyloric Region of Dogs

    • Gervais Tougas, Hans-D. Allescher, John Dent, Edwin E. Daniel

    Pages 199-211

20. Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP) and the Specific Motor Response to Capsaicin of the Human Isolated Ileum

    • Carlo Alberto Maggi, Sandro Giuliani, Paolo Santicioli, Riccardo Patacchini, Elvar Theodorsson, Damiano Turini et al.

    Pages 213-217

In the past 15 years much evidence has accumulated which indicates the paramount importance of sensory nerves in reg­ ulating functions of the gastrointestinal tract. In parallel, the attention of researchers in this field has been increas­ ingly attracted to the role played by neuropeptides in the normal and diseased gut. Basic research on the peculiar properties of capsaicin, the pungent ingredient from plants of the genus Capsicum, has allowed the gap between these two areas of research to be bridged. Sincethen, the study of gut afferents and neuropeptides has become more and more interconnected and recognized as a major avenue to understand­ ing the pathophysiology of various human diseases. It is widely recognized that a certain subset of primary afferents synthesize, store and release neuropeptides (such as tachykin­ nins and calcitonin gene-related peptide) from their central and peripheral endings, the latter being widely distributed in the alimentary canal and related organs (liver, pancreas). The First International Meeting on Sensory Nerves and Neuropeptides in Gastroenterology, held in Florence from December 4-5, 1989, sponsored and organized by Fondazione Internazionale Menarini, aimed to focus the current status of research in this field. The contributions presented at the meeting and in this book delineate a suggestive scenario in which sensory nerves of the gut, and the multiple messages they carry through the release of neuropeptides, are to be considered as a major target for the development of new drugs potentially useful in a number of diseases of the gastro­ intestinal tract.

• Ethanol
• Flow
• Nervous System
• Opioid
• neurons
• neuropeptides
• pathophysiology
• physiology
• hepatology

• Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

  Marcello Costa

• University of Florence, Florence, Italy

  Calogero Surrenti

• Fondazione Internazionale Menarini, Florence, Italy

  Sergio Gorini

• A. Menarini Pharmaceuticals, Florence, Italy

  Carlo Alberto Maggi, Alberto Meli

Policies and ethics