Peripheral Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor Type 2 Activation Increases Colonic Blood Flow Through Nitric Oxide Pathway in Rats

BACKGROUND: Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) peptides exert profound effects on the secretomotor function of the gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless, despite the presence of CRF peptides and receptors in colonic tissue, their influence on colonic blood flow (CBF) is unknown. AIM: To determine the effect and mechanism of members of the CRF peptide family on CBF in isoflurane-anesthetized rats. METHODS: Proximal CBF was measured with laser Doppler flowmetry simultaneously with mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) measurement. Rats were injected with intravenous human/rat CRF (CRF(1)>CRF(2) affinity), mouse urocortin 2 (mUcn2, selective CRF(2) agonist) or sauvagine (SVG, CRF(2)>CRF(1) affinity) at 1 – 30 μg/kg. The nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, L-NAME (3 mg/kg, iv), the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (Indo, 5 mg/kg, ip) or selective CRF(2) antagonist, astressin(2)-B (Ast(2)B, 50 μg/kg, iv) was given before SVG injection (10 μg/kg, iv). RESULTS: SVG and mUcn2 dose-dependently increased CBF while decreasing MABP and colonic vascular resistance (CVR). CRF had no effect on CBF, but increased CVR. The hyperemic effect of SVG was inhibited by L-NAME but not by Indo, whereas hypotension was partially reduced by L-NAME. Sensory denervation had no effect on SVG-induced changes. Ast(2)B inhibited SVG-induced hyperemia and decreased CVR, and partially reduced the hypotension. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral CRF(2) activation induces colonic hyperemia through NO synthesis, without involving prostaglandin synthesis or sensory nerve activation, suggesting a direct action on the endothelium and myenteric neurons. Members of the CRF peptide family may protect the colonic mucosal via the activation of the CRF(2) receptor