Differential effect on neuropeptide release of different concentrations of hydrogen ions on afferent and intrinsic neurons of the rat stomach.

In the muscle layer of the glandular portion of the rat stomach, in vivo capsaicin pretreatment markedly reduced calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) but did not affect substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI). Accordingly, in vitro superfusion of slices of this tissue with capsaicin (10 mumol/L) released CGRP-LI but not SP-LI, whereas both neuropeptides were released by 80 mmol/L K+. Exposure to relatively low-pH (pH 6) physiological salt solution induced an increase in the CGRP-LI outflow that was reduced by 70% in a Ca(2+)-free medium and was completely abolished by a previous exposure to capsaicin. However, superfusion with pH-6 medium did not produce any detectable SP-LI release. After exposure to pH-6 medium, both capsaicin and high-K+ medium were still able to release a consistent quantity of CGRP-LI and SP-LI, respectively. Increased mucosal blood flow induced by acid back-diffusion is considered a protective mechanism against mucosal gastric lesion. The present findings suggest that hydrogen ions diffusing into the gastric wall may promote protective vasodilatation by activating the "efferent" function of capsaicin-sensitive nerves without affecting the secretory process of other intrinsic peptidergic neurons.