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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 7, 2014; 20(21): 6554-6559
Published online Jun 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i21.6554
Published online Jun 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i21.6554
Investigation of cholecystokinin receptors in the human lower esophageal sphincter
Jun-Feng Liu, Jian Zhang, Xin-Bo Liu, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fourth Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, Hebei Province, China
Paul A Drew, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide 5001, Australia
Author contributions: Liu JF designed the study; Zhang J performed the experiments; all authors assisted in data interpretation, drafting and revising the manuscript.
Supported by Government Foundation Grant from Hebei Provincial Department of Education, No. HBGX2005-52; and National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30371413
Correspondence to: Jun-Feng Liu, PhD, Professor, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fourth Hospital, Hebei Medical University, 12 Jiankang Road, Shijiazhuang 050011, Hebei Province, China. liujf@heinfo.net
Telephone: +86-311-86095353 Fax: +86-311-86077634
Received: June 13, 2013
Revised: September 27, 2013
Accepted: November 3, 2013
Published online: June 7, 2014
Revised: September 27, 2013
Accepted: November 3, 2013
Published online: June 7, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: We isolated the sling and clasp muscles which help form the human lower esophageal sphincter. The expression of cholecystokinin (CCK)-A and CCK-B receptors was measured in the two muscles. The binding of 3H-CCK-8S to the CCK receptors was studied to determine the binding characteristics of the hormone to the receptor subtypes. It is concluded that the CCK-A receptor probably plays a more important role than the CCK-B receptor in mediating the contractile function of lower esophageal sphincter, through a combination of more receptors and a stronger binding affinity.