Z Gastroenterol 2004; 42 - 56
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-826957

Increased small intestinal motility is associated with decreased nitrergic myenteric neuronal density in chronic alcohol-treated rats

F Izbéki 1, M Krecsmarik 3, J Kaszaki 2, A Rosztóczy 1, M Bagyánszky 3, É Fekete 3, J Lonovics 1, T Wittmann 1
  • 11st Department of Medicine, University of Szeged
  • 2Institute of Surgical Research, University of Szeged
  • 3Department of Zoology and Cell Biology, University of Szeged

The effects of chronic alcohol exposure on the enteric nitrergic neurons with reference to the alteration of the small bowel motility have not been studied.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of chronic alcohol administration on NOS activity and on the distribution of nitrergic myenteric neurons in the small intestine in relation to the small bowel transit (SBT).

Materials and methods: Rats received 15% ethanol for drinking for 2 months. SBT were estimated by the phenol red assay 30 minutes after intragastric administration. The distribution of the nitrergic neurons was evaluated by NOS immunohistochemistry and NADPH diaphorase histochemistry in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Inducible (iNOS) and total (cNOS) activities were determined and expressed in fmol/mgprotein/min.

Results: SBT was accelerated in the alcohol treated rats. The NOS neuronal density in the myenteric plexus of the small intestine and the cNOS activity in the jejunum and ileum decreased significantly in alcohol-treated rats, while the cNOS activity in the duodenum and iNOS activity in the whole length of the small intestine did not change significantly.

Conclusion: The results of this animal model suggest that the decrease of the NOS activity and NOS neuronal density in chronic alcohol treated rats might play a role in the pathogenesis of the accelerated SBT. Similar motility disorder has also been demonstrated in chronic alcoholic patients with diarrhea.