Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Biochemistry (not Cell and Molecular Biology and Genetics)
Antonio White - North Carolina Central University
Co-Author(s): James Galligan and Bian Xiaochun, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the intrinsic neuronal circuit embedded in the gut wall that controls all gastrointestinal (GI) functions. The myenteric plexus (MP) is the segment of the ENS that enables smooth muscles in the digestive system propel food along the intestinal tube, via a series of synchronized patterns of contraction and relaxation. This system works by neuron-to-muscle communication through the release of neurotransmitters. Two important neurotransmitters for GI function are acetylcholine and serotonin. Serotonin (5-HT) is released from enterochromaffin cells, binds to 5-HT receptors located at the nerve terminals of intrinsic primary afferent neurons (IPANs). IPANs relays the signal to enteric neurons in the MP to initiate contraction/relaxation. Excitatory motorneurons (EMN) from the MP, innervate the muscle layers of the gut, releasing acetylcholine (Ach) onto muscarinic receptors and causes a cellular response (muscle contraction). Our research interest is to provide further insight in to the ENS physiological role in mediating muscle involuntary control, this with the ultimate goal of aiding in the development of new therapeutics for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a disease that effects millions of people worldwide, unknowingly affecting more women. This project looks at sex differences in wild type and tryptophan hydroxylase 1 knockout (THP 1 KO) mice ileum using an isometric organ bath and fecal output assay. Organ bath results show there is no significance in sex differences in the wildtype mice. Fecal output assay results that there is significant sex differences between the THP 1 KO mice models.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): ENDURE
Faculty Advisor: Tonya Gerald Goin, tgerald@nccu.edu
Role: In this research project, my role included conducting organ bath experiments which include preparing buffer for tissue, preparing tissue for the organ bath, collecting and analyzing data. In the fecal out assay experiment, my role was to place mice in there environment to defecate and to give mice surplus food and water.