J Neurogastroenterol Motil.  2015 Oct;21(4):494-502. 10.5056/jnm15061.

Targeting Ion Channels: An Important Therapeutic Implication in Gastrointestinal Dysmotility in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

• Radulovic
• Anand P
• Korsten MA
• Gong B

• KMID: 2381297
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5056/jnm15061

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility is a severe, and common complication in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Current therapeutic methods using acetylcholine analogs or laxative agents have unwanted side effects, besides often fail to have desired effect. Various ion channels such as ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel, calcium ions (Ca2+)-activated potassium ions (K+) channels, voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels and chloride ion (Cl-) channels are abundantly expressed in GI tissues, and play an important role in regulating GI motility. The release of neurotransmitters from the enteric nerve terminal, innervating GI interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), and smooth muscle cells (SMC), causes inactivation of K+ and Cl- channels, increasing Ca2+ influx into cytoplasm, resulting in membrane depolarization and smooth muscle contraction. Thus, agents directly regulating ion channels activity either in ICC or in SMC may affect GI peristalsis and would be potential therapeutic target for the treatment of GI dysmotility with SCI.

Keyword

Dysmotility; Gastrointestinal; Interstitial cells of Cajal; Ion channels; Myocytes, smooth muscle

MeSH Terms

Acetylcholine
Calcium
Cytoplasm
Humans
Interstitial Cells of Cajal
Ion Channels*
Ions
Membranes
Muscle, Smooth
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle
Neurotransmitter Agents
Peristalsis
Potassium
Spinal Cord Injuries*
Spinal Cord*
Acetylcholine
Calcium
Ion Channels
Ions
Neurotransmitter Agents
Potassium