Site of Acetylcholine Production in the Wall of Intestine

Abstract

Segments of guinea pig small intestine were divided into following 4 groups; (a) nonstretched segments, (b) segments stretched longitudinally, (c) segments stretched circumferentially (by inserting a glass rod), and (d) segments stretched in both directions. Acetylcholine (ACh) in these prepns. after freezing them with dry ice was extracted and detd. Circumferential stretching caused an increase of ACh amt. The ACh increase was not affected by cocaine (20 and 50 pg./cc). The results suggest that the most probable site of ACh increase in the extended wall of intestine is the circular muscle layer.