The pacemaker cells of the gut, the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) orchestrate,
in close collaboration with the enteric nervous system, the major motor patterns of
the intestine, that is, segmentation (1) and the minute rhythm propulsive activity.
Omnipresent myogenic ripples (low amplitude propulsive activity) are present at all
times giving low level mixing and propulsion. The rhythm and propagation characteristics
of the ripples are determined by ICC associated with the myenteric plexus (ICC-MP).
To elicit the typical segmentation motor pattern described by Cannon (2), a second
rhythmic pacemaker activity is evoked by medium chain fatty acids or substance P innervation
involving the ICC of the deep muscular plexus. This low frequency activity interacts
with the ICC-MP pacemaker through phase-amplitude coupling. This results in a waxing
and waning of the ICC-MP slow wave amplitude and segmentation results. However, for
this to occur, the propagation velocity of the ICC-DMP activity has to be low, if
this occurs at a velocity similar to that of the ICC-MP slow waves, then the typical
minute rhythm propulsive activity occurs. The ICC networks are systems of coupled
oscillators and enteric neural regulation of the coupling strength can change propagation
velocity, which has major consequences for the orchestration of motor patterns by
the pacemaker networks. Very similar mechanisms occur in the human and rabbit colon
where ripple activity orchestrated by colonic slow waves interacts with a lower frequency
rhythm that is associated with minute rhythm propulsive activity that has developed
as haustral boundary contractions. Supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research.
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© 2015 Published by Elsevier Inc.