Journal
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
Volume 284, Issue 3, Pages G357-G366Publisher
AMER PHYSIOLOGICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00478.2002
Keywords
enteric nervous system; gastrointestinal motility; gastrointestinal secretions; gastrointestinal smooth muscle; neurotransmitters; parasympathetic nerves
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Funding
- NIDDK NIH HHS [DK 31092] Funding Source: Medline
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Vagal efferents, consisting of distinct lower motor and preganglionic parasympathetic fibers, constitute the motor limb of vagally mediated reflexes. Arising from the nucleus ambiguus, vagal lower motor neurons (LMN) mediate reflexes involving striated muscles of the orad gut. LMNs provide cholinergic innervation to motor end plates that are inhibited by myenteric nitrergic neurons. Preganglionic neurons from the dorsal motor nucleus implement parasympathetic motor and secretory functions. Cholinergic preganglionic neurons form parallel inhibitory and excitatory vagal pathways to smooth muscle viscera and stimulate postganglionic neurons via nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. In turn, the postganglionic inhibitory neurons release ATP, VIP, and NO, whereas the excitatory neurons release ACh and substance P. Vagal motor effects are dependent on the viscera's intrinsic motor activity and the interaction between the inhibitory and excitatory vagal influences. These interactions help to explain the physiology of esophageal peristalsis, gastric motility, lower esophageal sphincter, and pyloric sphincter. Vagal secretory pathways are predominantly excitatory and involve ACh and VIP as the postganglionic excitatory neurotransmitters. Vagal effects on secretory functions are exerted either directly or via release of local mediators or circulating hormones.
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