Abstract
1. The role of dopamine in the genesis of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)- and emotional stress (ES)-induced stimulation of colonic motility, as well as the mechanism of antagonistic action of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8s) and igmesine (alpha sigma receptor ligand, formerly JO 1784) on dopamine-induced colonic hypermotility, have been investigated in the rat. 2. ES and i.c.v. injection of CRF (0.5 microgram kg-1) increased the frequency of colonic spike bursts by 63% and 114%, respectively. Prior i.c.v. administration of (+)-SCH 23390 (a D1 receptor antagonist, 10 micrograms kg-1) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the CRF- and ES-induced increase in colonic spike burst; whereas, sulpiride (a D2 receptor antagonist, 10 micrograms kg-1) blocked the CRF-induced stimulation of colonic spike bursts but had no effect on the colonic response to stress. 3. I.c.v. injection of dopamine (100 micrograms kg-1), increased colonic spike burst frequency by 54%. (+)-SKF 38393 (5 micrograms kg-1), a selective D1 receptor agonist, and quinpirole (5 micrograms kg-1), a selective D2 receptor agonist, increased colonic spike burst frequency by 71% and 70% respectively. CCK-8s (0.1 microgram kg-1) and igmesine (0.1 microgram kg-1) injected i.c.v. completely prevented the stimulatory effects of dopamine, (+)-SKF 38393 and quinpirole. 4. Previous i.c.v. injection of devazepide, a CCKA receptor antagonist, (10 micrograms kg-1) antagonized the inhibitory effects of both CCK-8s and igmesine injected i.c.v. on dopamine-induced colonic hyperkinesia. 5. These results show that CRF stimulates colonic motility through activation of central dopaminergic mechanisms in response to stress; furthermore, CCK-8s inhibits dopamine-induced colonic hyperkinesia through a mechanism involving D1 and D2 receptors. The sigma receptor ligand igmesine, blocks the CRF and ES-induced colonic hyperactivity via an interaction with central CCK mechanisms.