P2Y1 receptor in the colonic submucosa of rats and its association with opioid ‑induced constipation

Exp Ther Med. 2022 Dec 13;25(1):67. doi: 10.3892/etm.2022.11766. eCollection 2023 Jan.ABSTRACTThe aim of the present study was to explore the expression changes of P2Y purinergic receptor 1 (P2Y1) in the distal colonic submucosa of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) rats and its association with the occurrence of OIC, an OIC rat model was generated by intraperitoneal injection of loperamide hydrochloride, a selective agonist of µ-opioid receptors (MORs). At 7 days post-treatment, the model was assessed by analyzing stool scores and calculating the gastrointestinal (GI) transit ratio of rats. The distribution of P2Y1-expressing neurons in the colonic submucosal plexus was demonstrated by immunofluorescence (IF). Western blotting was performed to evaluate the expression changes of MOR, P2Y1 and ATP synthase subunit β (ATPB) proteins in the colonic submucosa, while reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis was performed to determine the relative mRNA expression of MOR and P2Y1. After 7 days, the feces of OIC rats exhibited an appearance of sausage-shaped pieces and both the stool weight and GI transit ratio of OIC rats were significantly decreased. IF revealed co-expression of P2Y1 and calbindin and MOR and ATPB in the nerve cells of the distal colonic submucosal plexus. Moreover, RT-qPCR analysis showed that the MOR mRNA levels were significantly increased in the distal colonic submucosa of OIC rats, while mRNA levels of P2Y1 were decreased. WB showed that in t...
Source: Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine - Category: General Medicine Authors: Source Type: research