Nociceptin effect on intestinal motility depends on opioid-receptor like-1 receptors and nitric oxide synthase co-localization

Figure 1 In vivo effects of nociceptin in the gastrointestinal tract in mice. A: Nociceptin (100 pmol, iv) accelerated whole gastrointestinal transit; B: Nociceptin (100 pmol, iv) accelerated upper gastrointestinal transit. This effect was absent in animals pretreated with [NPhe¹]NOC (100 pmol, iv) at a dose that had no effects when given alone and in the AS ODN-treated mice; C: Nociceptin (100 pmol, iv) slowed colonic bead expulsion. This effect was absent in animals pretreated with [NPhe¹]NOC (100 pmol, iv) at a dose that had no effects when given alone and in the AS ODN-treated mice. Data are mean ± SEM of n = 5-8 mice/group. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01, ^dP < 0.001, vs vehicle-treated mice; ^fP < 0.01, ^hP < 0.001 vs nociceptin alone. AS and MM ODN, antisense and mismatched deoxynucleotide, respectively. GI: Gastrointestinal; iv: Intravenous.