Mechanism of action of peptide YY to inhibit gastric motility.

The pathway by which peptide YY inhibits upper gastrointestinal motility is largely unknown and prompted this investigation. Muscle tension and [3H]acetylcholine release studies were performed on isolated muscle strips and slices obtained from the guinea pig stomach. Peptide YY [0.1-1000 nmol/L; concentration of half-maximal effect (EC50), 6 nmol/L] caused concentration-dependent relaxation of longitudinally oriented muscle strips that was unaffected by hexamethonium but was blocked by atropine and tetrodotoxin, suggesting that the peptide inhibited postganglionic cholinergic neurotransmission. In addition, peptide YY (1 mumol/L) reduced by 42% +/- 6% electrically stimulated muscle contractions that were blocked by atropine and tetrodotoxin, providing additional evidence that the peptide inhibits release of acetylcholine. Next, the effect of peptide YY on potassium-evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine and whether the peptide inhibits cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent release of acetylcholine were examined. Peptide YY (1 mumol/L) inhibited KCl (35 mmol/L)-evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine by 58% +/- 6%. The inhibitory action of peptide YY was unaffected by antagonists for dopamine-2, alpha-2, and opiate receptors that are known to mediate presynaptic inhibition. In addition, peptide YY reduced half-maximal forskolin and cholera toxin-evoked release of acetylcholine by 45% +/- 6% and 42% +/- 8%, respectively, suggesting that the peptide can inhibit cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent release of acetylcholine. This effect of peptide YY was reversed by pertussis toxin which prevents activation of the inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding protein coupled to adenylate cyclase. In summary, peptide YY inhibited basal and stimulated cholinergic neurotransmission in the guinea pig stomach. In addition, peptide YY antagonized cyclic adenosine monophosphate-mediated release of acetylcholine through a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism.