Mechanism of action of cholecystokinin octapeptide on rat antrum, pylorus, and duodenum.

The mechanism of action of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-OP) on tonic and phasic contraction of antral, pyloric, and duodenal smooth muscles was studied with a novel perfusion manometric system in isolated esophagogastroduodenal preparations of the rat. CCK-OP increased baseline pressure at each site, frequencies of phasic contractions in the antrum and pylorus, and amplitudes in the duodenum. It decreased antral and pyloric amplitudes and frequency of duodenal phasic contractions. CCK-OP action on tonic contraction was tetradotoxin (TTX) susceptible and its action on phasic contractions was TTX resistant. Phentolamine, phenoxybenzamine, propranolol, catecholamine depletion of preparations by reserpine-tetrabenazine, and the block of catecholamine synthesis at different levels significantly inhibited CCK-OP-induced tonic contraction, whereas atropine had no influence. Adrenergic and cholinergic neural actions on phasic contractions altered the level of amplitudes and frequencies on which CCK-OP action occurred. It is concluded that CCK-OP action on tonic contraction of the rat gastroduodenal junction is mediated by a neural noncholinergic pathway, whereas its effect on muscles responsible for phasic contractions is a direct one.