AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 240, Issue 4 290-G296, Copyright © 1981 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Effect of atropine on esophageal motor function in humans

W. J. Dodds, J. Dent, W. J. Hogan and R. C. Arndorfer

In this study, we used a high-fidelity manometric recording system to quantitate the effects of atropine on lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and primary peristalsis (1 degree P). A sleeve sensor recorded LES pressure, and seven recording orifices spaced at 3-cm intervals registered motor activity in the esophageal body. Five randomized manometric studies were done in each of five normal subjects. LES pressure and 1 degree P with wet swallows were recorded for 30 min before and 70 min after intravenous injection of saline or atropine, 3, 6, 12, and 24 micrograms/kg. We also studied the effect of atropine on LES pressure in five additional subjects, four dogs, four opossums, and six monkeys. In humans, saline and 3 micrograms/kg atropine caused no significant change in pulse rate, LES pressure, or the incidence of complete peristaltic sequences. The 6, 12, and 24 micrograms/kg atropine doses caused significant inhibition of LES pressure and the incidence of intact 1 degree P. Only the 12 and 24 micrograms/kg doses increased pulse rate. When 1 degree P occurred in the smooth muscle portion of the esophagus its appearance in the proximal portion of the smooth muscle segment was delayed for several seconds. The amplitude of 1 degree P was decreased 30-60% in the smooth muscle segment, but 1 degree P was not affected in the proximal striated muscle esophageal segment. Atropine reduced canine LES pressure substantially but caused no change in opossums or monkeys. We conclude that 1) basal LES tone in humans and dogs, unlike that of the opossum and monkey, is partially generated by cholinergic neural input, 2) cholinergic nerves elicit 1 degree P in human esophageal smooth muscle, and 3) species variation exists in esophageal responses to atropine.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. G. Brasseur, R. Ulerich, Q. Dai, D. K. Patel, A. M. S. Soliman, and L. S. Miller Pharmacological dissection of the human gastro-oesophageal segment into three sphincteric components J. Physiol., May 1, 2007; 580(3): 961 - 975. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Muinuddin, K. Naqvi, L. Sheu, H. Y. Gaisano, and N. E. Diamant Regional differences in cholinergic regulation of potassium current in feline esophageal circular smooth muscle Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, June 1, 2005; 288(6): G1233 - G1240. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Shaker, E. Bardan, C. Gu, B. T. Massey, T. Sanders, M. K. Kern, R. G. Hoffmann, and W. J. Hogan Effect of lower esophageal sphincter tone and crural diaphragm contraction on distensibility of the gastroesophageal junction in humans Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, October 1, 2004; 287(4): G815 - G821. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. A. Gonzalez, R. Farre, and P. Clave Different responsiveness of excitatory and inhibitory enteric motor neurons in the human esophagus to electrical field stimulation and to nicotine Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, July 1, 2004; 287(1): G299 - G306. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. G. Preiksaitis, P. S. Krysiak, T. Chrones, V. Rajgopal, and L. G. Laurier Pharmacological and Molecular Characterization of Muscarinic Receptor Subtypes in Human Esophageal Smooth Muscle J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., December 1, 2000; 295(3): 879 - 888. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. Wang, P. S. Krysiak, L. G. Laurier, S. M. Sims, and H. G. Preiksaitis Human esophageal smooth muscle cells express muscarinic receptor subtypes M1 through M5 Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, November 1, 2000; 279(5): G1059 - G1069. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I Lidums, H Checklin, R K Mittal, and R H Holloway Effect of atropine on gastro-oesophageal reflux and transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease Gut, July 1, 1998; 43(1): 12 - 16. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. K. Mittal and D. H. Balaban The Esophagogastric Junction N. Engl. J. Med., March 27, 1997; 336(13): 924 - 932. [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. G. Richards, J. S. Stamler, L. Kobzik, and D. J. Sugarbaker Role of nitric oxide in human esophageal circular smooth muscle in vitro J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., July 1, 1995; 110(1): 157 - 164. [Abstract] [Full Text]