J physical: new research reveals new functions of intestine

November 1, 2019 / BIOON / - recently, researchers from the University of Flinders revealed for the first time new insights into how colon tissue functions The results are expected to provide new diagnostic tools and treatment methods for gastrointestinal diseases to solve the problems of constipation, diarrhea and pain caused by defecation The "propulsion" of intestinal contents is controlled by the "nervous system" composed of millions of neurons in the intestinal wall This gut nervous system, which can operate independently of the brain, is essential for life activities, but its operation mode has not been clearly revealed In this study, Professor Marcello Costa and colleagues revealed how the gut nervous system ensures that food is slowly mixed and pushed through the digestive tract so that epithelial tissue can absorb nutrients and excrete water from food "For the first time, we have combined" video recording intestinal movement "with" pressure probe "to record movement, pressure and electrophysiological activities in the colon at the same time By using this powerful technology, we have found many different neural mechanisms regulating the movement of intestinal contents "At present, our treatment of intestinal diseases is often to alleviate symptoms, such as taking antidiarrheal drugs to relieve diarrhea, or by softening the stool to relieve constipation Now, with a new understanding of the neural network of the intestinal system, clinicians may be able to develop better treatments for intestinal diseases based on the causes " Sources of information: Cracking the colon Code: new light shed on gut function original sources: Marcello Costa, Lauren J Keightley, Lukasz wickendot, Timothy J Hibbard, John W Arkwright, Taher Omari, David A watchow, Vladimir zagorodnyuk, Simon J h Brookes, Phil g dinning, Nick J Spencer Roles of three distinct neurogenic motor patterns during pellet propulsion in guinea‐pig distal colon The Journal of Physiology , 2019; 597 (20): 5125 DOI: 10.1113/JP278284