Reflex control of the gastric motility by the vagus and splanchnic nerves in the guinea pig in vivo

Abstract

Gastric responses to electrical stimulation of the vagus and splanchnic nerves and to esophageal distension were observed in studies of the reflex control of the gastric motility in anesthetized guinea pigs in vivo. The gastric motility was inhibited by both vago-vagal and splanchno-vagal reflexes through the activation of non-adrenergic inhibitory nerve fibers and by splanchno-splanchnic reflex through the inactivation of the intramural cholinergic excitatory neurons. Distension of the lower esophagus caused a relaxation of the stomach which was mediated by an intrinsic reflex via intramural non-adrenergic inhibitory neurons. Furthermore, stimulation of the splanchnic nerve innervating the stomach seems to activate adrenergic inhibitory, cholinergic excitatory and probably some non-adrenergic inhibitory fibers.