Tachykinins: local gastric effects and brain stem responses.

The gastric motor or mechanical effects of a group of peptides, the tachykinins, were evaluated in anesthetized cats to determine the relationship between local motor events and brain stem neurons that regulate gastric activity. The peptides evaluated were substance P, physalaemin, and eledoisin. The tachykinin-induced gastric changes were dose related and were characterized by initial distention-sustained contraction-late distention phases. At lower doses distention was the dominant effect with a sustained contraction-late distention response appearing as the dose increased. The sustained contraction-late distention phases were frequently accompanied by phasic contractions with a frequency of 2-4/min. Atropine had a significant effect on the sustained contraction phase but no effect on the phasic contractions or distention phases. Bilateral cervical vagotomy had a significant effect on the early distention phase, suggesting a link with brain stem mechanisms. The activity of brain stem units that responded to phasic distention of the stomach reflected the tachykinin-induced changes in gastric distention. Although the gastric effects of these tachykinins shared distinct similarities, certain differences in the time sequence of the distention-contraction interactions suggests the possibility that dissimilar receptor types may be involved in the mechanisms of action. Their mechanisms of action may also involve a direct effect on the effector organ.