Effect of motilin and erythromycin on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in rat myenteric neurons in culture

Objective: To investigate the effects of motilin and erythromycin on intracellular Ca2+ mobi-lization in cultured myenteric neurons of rats. Methods: The cultured myenteric neurons were identified with immunofluorescence staining technique. Motilin-induced and erythromycin-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization was studied in primary cultures of myenteric neurons using the ratiometric Ca2+ indicator Furo3/AM, with a laser confocal microscope. Results: The effects of motilin and erythromycin on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization were as follows: (1)In Hank’s solution, 10 -8, 10-7, 10-6 mol/L motilin could elevate intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i)in a dose-dependent manner. (2) In Hank’s solution, 10μg/ ml erythromycin also could induce the elevation of [Ca2+]i. (3) After pretreatment with antibody against the motilin receptor in Hank’s solution, the Ca2+ response to erythromycin was almost restricted. Conclusion: It is suggested that motilin could increase [Ca2+]i in myenteric neurons in a dose-dependent manner, and erythromycin may also have this effectivenesss by binding to the motilin receptor.