Elucidating the role of the glucagon-like peptides in the enteric nervous system.
Published: 2006
Language: eng
Number of pages: 81
ISBN-13: 9780494213759
Description: The intestinal glucagon-like peptides, GLP-1 and GLP-2 inhibit intestinal motility, while GLP-2 also stimulates growth of the intestinal mucosa. However, the mechanisms of action of these peptides remain poorly characterized. To determine the role of the enteric nervous system in the actions of the GLPs, the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor alpha 2 (GFRalpha2) knockout mouse was employed. These mice exhibit reduced parasympathetic innervation and decreased numbers of cholinergic and substance P-ergic excitatory motor neurons in the myenteric plexus. No differences were observed in basal or GLP-2-stimulated mucosal growth between wildtype and knockout mice. However, knockout mice exhibited reduced basal gastrointestinal transit. Furthermore, acute administration of GLP-1 and GLP-2 significantly inhibited transit in wildtype mice (P&lt;0.05 and P&lt;0.01, respectively), but had no effect on transit rate in GFRalpha2 knockout mice, demonstrating a role for GFRalpha2-expressing neurons in the downstream signalling of the glucagon-like peptides to inhibit gastrointestinal motility.
Notes: Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-03, page: 1401.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2006.

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