113 - Neural and Hormonal Control of GIT Function 1 Flashcards
Basic function of GIT 1 2 3 4 5
1) Digestion of food
2) Absorption of nutrients
3) Excretion of waste
4) Prevention of invasion by pathogens
5) Contains microbiome
Key requirements of GIT regulation 1 2 3 4
1) Control intestinal smooth muscle contractions.
2) Regulate secretion of digestive enzymes, solvents for enzymatic function
3) Control reabsorption of water from lumen to prevent dehydration
4) Coordinate widely separated regions (EG: regulation of gastric emptying by gat in duodenum)
Pacemaker cells of the enteric nervous system, regulating contractile activity of intestinal smooth muscle
Interstitial cells of Cajal. Modified smooth muscle cells.
Interstitial cells of Cajal function
Regulate contractile activity and secretion of water and salt over mm to cm distances
Contain elements needed for complex motor programs
Two systems that interact for GIT function
Enteric nervous system, endocrine system.
Segmentation
Mixing function of enteric nervous system
Peristalsis
Propulsive motor pattern, mediated by enteric nervous system
Function of GIT endocrine system
Signal from intestinal mucosa to ancillary organs like brain, pancreas, gall bladder.
Arrangement of the enteric nervous system in the GIT?
1
2
3
1) Ganglia between the longitudinal (outer) and circular (internal) smooth muscle layers in the GIT (myenteric plexus).
2) Submucosal plexus. Innervate mucosa.
3) Interstitial cells of Cajal, all joined with gap junctions (to coordinate). Sit within circular smooth muscle layer.
Number of neuron types in murine enteric nervous system
~22
Mucosal enteroendocrine cells
1
2
3
1) Often span epithelium
2) Many defined by mediators they release (EG: serotonin-releasing enterochromaffin cells)
3) Also enterochromaffin-like cells that release histamine
Number of enteroendocrine cells in GIT
Over 20
Where is majority of body’s serotonin produced?
In gut wall (over 90%) (serotonin-containing enterochromaffin cell)
Examples of hormonal factors released by enteroendocrine cells
Serotonin, CCK, secretin, somatostatin, glucagon-like peptides 1 and 2
Roles of vagus in GIT function
1
2
3
1) Vagus pathway for control of swallowing
2) Vagus regulates acid secretion in stomach.
3) Co-ordination of contraction of stomach, duodenum
Part of GIT that vagus controls
First part. Vagal control wanes as you go towards colon.
Neural aspects responsible for intestino-intestinal reflexes
1
2
1) Vagus (often excitatory)
2) Dorsal root ganglia (often inhibitory)
Function of sympathetic neurons in the GIT
Often inhibitory
Viscerofugal neurons
1
2
3
1) Cell bodies are within GIT wall
2) Project to pre-vertebral sympathetic ganglia (coelial, superior, inferior mesenteric ganglia).
3) Produce reflex inhibition of proximal regions when distal regions are distended.
Hormone released when fat is detected
Cholecystikinin.
Released from GIT wall, effects local GIT wall, gets into portal system, goes to liver.
Basic function of vagal and sympathetic activity on enteric nervous system
Usually modulate enteric neural circuits (increase or decrease activity)
Effect of neural activity on intestinal smooth muscle
Interstitial cells of Cajal act as pacemakers.
Neural activity can change level of excitation or inhibition that can alter whether smooth muscle will contract on stimulation
Which nerve mediates cephalic phase?
Vagus
Amount of gastric acid secretion attributable to cephalic phase
~30%
