Rectal and colonic distension elicit viscerovisceral reflexes in humans

Ngai Moh Law, Adil E. Bharucha, Alan R. Zinsmeister

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Colonic transit is slowed in patients with disordered rectal evacuation, but the mechanism of this phenomenon is unclear. Our objective was to investigate rectocolonic inhibitory reflexes in humans to provide potential insight into patients with obstructed defecation. In 30 healthy subjects, a barostat-manometric assembly recorded colonic tone and phasic activity in the descending colon during rectal distension and recorded rectal tone during colonic distension. Phasic distensions were 8, 16, and 32 mmHg above balloon operating pressure, and staircase inflations were comprised of balloon inflation then deflation in 2-mmHg increments at 30-s intervals from 0 to 36 mmHg. Colonic balloon volumes increased to a similar extent during phasic rectal distensions 8, 16, and 32 mmHg above operating pressure, reflecting reduced colonic tone; balloon volumes also increased and phasic pressure activity decreased during staircase rectal distensions. In contrast, rectal balloon volume declined, reflecting increased tone during phasic and staircase colonic distensions. Thus rectal distension inhibited colonic motor activity, indicative of a viscerovisceral inhibitory reflex.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)G384-G389
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology
Volume283
Issue number2 46-2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Keywords

  • Colonic transit
  • Obstructed defecation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Physiology (medical)

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