Neural modulation of the antisecretory effect of peptide YY in the rat jejunum.

The endocrine and neural peptide, peptide YY, inhibits intestinal secretion of water and electrolytes in several animal species and in man. Peptide YY receptors have been evidenced on isolated rat jejunal crypt cells, but neural receptors are also likely to participate in the antisecretory effect of peptide YY in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms of the peptide YY effect on vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-stimulated jejunal net water flux in the rat. Antagonist experiments using several drugs affecting neurally mediated processes were done for the purpose. A small peptide YY dose (10 pmol/kg) inhibited significantly (P < 0.005) the jejunal net water flux produced by 30 microg/kg per h of VIP. The inhibitory effect of peptide YY was suppressed, or strongly and significantly reduced, by tetrodotoxin, hexamethonium, lidocaine, idazoxan and BMY14,802 (51-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(-4-(5-fluoro-2pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl)- 1-butanol), whereas devazepide and L-NAME (L-omega-N-arginine methyl ester) had no effect. These results suggest that peptide YY inhibits VIP-stimulated jejunal net water flux in vivo through a neural mechanism implicating the participation of nicotinic synapses, alpha2-adrenoceptors and sigma receptors.