Ali Noorafshan1,2, Majid Yousefi1,2, Leila Hosseini3, Saied Karbalay-Doust4,5. 1. Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Zand Ave., Shiraz, 71348-45794, Iran. 2. Anatomy Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 3. Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 4. Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Zand Ave., Shiraz, 71348-45794, Iran. karbalas@sums.ac.ir. 5. Anatomy Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. karbalas@sums.ac.ir.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The colon is partly controlled by myenteric and submucosal plexuses, which respond to stress and lead to some gastrointestinal disorders. These plexuses play roles in irritable bowel syndrome. Patients suffering from this syndrome can be treated with some antidepressants, including sertraline and nortriptyline. AIMS: The primary aim of study was to compare the effect of a sertraline and a nortriptyline on the structural changes of the enteric neurons after stress exposure in both sexes. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the effects of stress on the submucosal and myenteric plexuses. METHODS: Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four subgroups. The first subgroup received no stress. The other three subgroups received chronic variable stress (CVS) and were given phosphate buffer, sertraline (10 mg/kg/day), or nortriptyline (10 mg/kg/day). After 45 days, the neuron number in their colon plexuses was estimated using the stereologic method. RESULTS: The number of neurons increased by 40-51% in the submucosal plexus and by 57-69% in the myenteric plexus in the CVS group compared with the control group (p < 0.002) without any sex preference. The increment was significantly higher in the myenteric plexus than in the submucosal plexus (p < 0.05). Moreover, co-treatment of stressed rats with sertraline and nortriptyline could prevent the cellular hyperplasia of the plexuses, with more effective action for sertraline (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Stress exposure for 45 days induced hyperplasia of the colon's enteric plexuses in both sexes. However, these drugs could prevent the changes, with a more effective action for sertraline.
BACKGROUND: The colon is partly controlled by myenteric and submucosal plexuses, which respond to stress and lead to some gastrointestinal disorders. These plexuses play roles in irritable bowel syndrome. Patients suffering from this syndrome can be treated with some antidepressants, including sertraline and nortriptyline. AIMS: The primary aim of study was to compare the effect of a sertraline and a nortriptyline on the structural changes of the enteric neurons after stress exposure in both sexes. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the effects of stress on the submucosal and myenteric plexuses. METHODS: Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four subgroups. The first subgroup received no stress. The other three subgroups received chronic variable stress (CVS) and were given phosphate buffer, sertraline (10 mg/kg/day), or nortriptyline (10 mg/kg/day). After 45 days, the neuron number in their colon plexuses was estimated using the stereologic method. RESULTS: The number of neurons increased by 40-51% in the submucosal plexus and by 57-69% in the myenteric plexus in the CVS group compared with the control group (p < 0.002) without any sex preference. The increment was significantly higher in the myenteric plexus than in the submucosal plexus (p < 0.05). Moreover, co-treatment of stressed rats with sertraline and nortriptyline could prevent the cellular hyperplasia of the plexuses, with more effective action for sertraline (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Stress exposure for 45 days induced hyperplasia of the colon's enteric plexuses in both sexes. However, these drugs could prevent the changes, with a more effective action for sertraline.
Authors: Asa Petersén; Gitta Wörtwein; Susanne H M Gruber; Aram El-Khoury; Aleksander A Mathé Journal: Neurosci Lett Date: 2008-12-27 Impact factor: 3.046
Authors: Yong S Kim; Moon Y Lee; Chang S Choi; Young W Sohn; Byung R Park; Myung-Gyu Choi; Yong-Ho Nah; Suck C Choi Journal: J Gastroenterol Hepatol Date: 2008-08-24 Impact factor: 4.029