Research Report
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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 7, 2014; 20(41): 15335-15342
Published online Nov 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i41.15335
Resveratrol and genistein inhibition of rat isolated gastrointestinal contractions and related mechanisms
Li-Xue Zhang, Hong-Fang Li, Long-De Wang, Shan Jin, Xing-Cheng Dou, Zhi-Feng Tian, Qin Ma
Li-Xue Zhang, Shan Jin, Xing-Cheng Dou, Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China
Li-Xue Zhang, College of Medicine, Northwest University for Nationalities, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu Province, China
Hong-Fang Li, Qin Ma, Key Laboratory of Pre-clinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China
Long-De Wang, Affiliated Hospital, Gansu Chinese Medical College, Lanzhou 730020, Gansu Province, China
Zhi-Feng Tian, Functional Lab of Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China
Author contributions: Li HF and Wang LD designed the research; Zhang LX, Jin S, Dou XC, Tian ZF and Ma Q performed the research; Jin S, Dou XC, Tian ZF and Ma Q contributed new reagents/analytic tools; Zhang LX, Li HF and Wang LD analyzed the data and wrote the paper.
Supported by Grants from the Administration of Lanzhou Scientific Technology, No. 2010-1-88; Gansu Natural Science Fund in China, No. 1010RJZA111; and Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 21272103 and No. 81360540
Correspondence to: Hong-Fang Li, Professor, Key Laboratory of Pre-clinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China. lihf@lzu.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-931-8915092 Fax: +86-931-8915092
Received: January 7, 2014
Revised: March 20, 2014
Accepted: July 22, 2014
Published online: November 7, 2014
Processing time: 306 Days and 20.7 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of resveratrol and genistein on contractile responses of rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle.

METHODS: Isolated strips of gastrointestinal smooth muscle from Spraque-Dawley rats were suspended in organ baths containing Kreb’s solution, and the contractility of smooth muscles was measured before and after incubation with resveratrol and genistein, and the related mechanisms were studied by co-incubation with various inhibitors.

RESULTS: Resveratrol and genistein dose-dependently decreased the resting tension, and also reduced the mean contractile amplitude of gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Estrogen receptor blockades (ICI 182780 and tamoxifen) failed to alter the inhibitory effects induced by resveratrol and genistein. However, their effects were attenuated by inhibitions of α-adrenergic receptor (phentolamine), nitric oxide synthase (levorotatory-NG-nitroarginine), ATP-sensitive potassium channels (glibenclamide), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (SQ22536). In high K+/Ca2+-free Kreb’s solution containing 0.01 mmol/L egtazic acid, resveratrol and genistein reduced the contractile responses of CaCl2, and shifted its cumulative concentration-response curves rightward.

CONCLUSION: Resveratrol and genistein relax gastrointestinal smooth muscle viaα-adrenergic receptors, nitric oxide and cyclic adenosine monophosphate pathways, ATP-sensitive potassium channels, and inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels.

Keywords: Ca2+ channel; Gastrointestinal; Motility; Phytoestrogen; Smooth muscle

Core tip: Female hormones can cause gastrointestinal motility disorder and may contribute to irritable bowel syndrome. As analogs of estrogen, the phytoestrogens resveratrol and genistein possess variable degrees of agonistic/antagonistic effects, but little is known about their effects on gastrointestinal motility. The present study demonstrates that, similar to estrogen, resveratrol and genistein attenuate gastrointestinal smooth muscle motility through various mechanisms. The results reflect the physiologic and pharmacologic actions of resveratrol and genistein, provide the pharmacologic guidance for the application of these compounds, and are also very valuable for medicine and nutrition.