The Peristaltic and Antiperistaltic Movements in Excised Ureters as Affected by Drugs

Abstract

A perfect metabolic gradient from kidney to urinary bladder was not observed in the excised ureter of the pig. It was normally highest in the kidney end, gradually decreasing until the lowest 4th was reached where it suddenly increased again to an irritability almost as great as that in the kidney end. Spontaneous peristaltic contractions were noted in the kidney half of the ureter in 73.6% of the segments tested and in only 28.1% of the segments of the bladder half of the ureter. Spontaneous antiperistaltic contractions were observed in the kidney half of the excised ureter in 26.3% of the cases but in the bladder half of the ureter this reverse movement was found in 71.9% of the segments. Spontaneous antiperistaltic movements as well as peristaltic movements were noted when the whole excised ureter was used. Fluids placed in the lumen of the ureter were propelled from the kidney end toward the bladder end during peristalsis and in the reverse direction during anti-peristalsis. A relative refractory phase was also noted to stimulation. Decreasing the temp. of the "pace maker" from 39.5 to 22[degree] C. causes slowing of contraction and in some cases complete inhibition. If the temperature of the fluid surrounding the dependent segment is maintained at the optimum temp. 39.5[degree] C., a reversal of the direction of contraction is frequently seen, i.e., anti-peristalsis is converted into peristalsis and vice versa. Decreasing the pH of the solution bathing the dependent segment from 7.8 to 5.6 has little or no effect upon its contractions, on the contrary decreasing the pH of the solution bathing the "pace maker" caused temporarily complete inhibition of activity of both segments. If the pH of the dependent segment is maintained at 7.8 to 8.8 reversal of movements is noted. Epinephrine added to the solution bathing the dependent segment stimulated it and reversed the direction of conduction and peristaltic movements were thus converted into antiperistaltic contractions and vice versa. Urea, acetylcho-line and nicotine caused changes similar to those caused by epinephrine, though in most instances less marked.