Fig. 4

Colokinetic effect of somatostatin after surgical transection of the thoracic spinal cord at T4. a Representative recording traces of intraluminal pressure change (upper) and expelled liquid volume (lower) before and after injection of somatostatin (6 nmol) under the condition of neural disconnection between the brain and spinal defecation center by transection of the thoracic spinal cord at T4 level are shown. b Bar graphs summarize expelled liquid volume (ml/20 min, left panel) and frequency of contractions (contractions/20 min, right panel) before and after T4 transection. Somatostatin caused propulsive contractions of the colorectum after T4 transection. c Bar graphs summarize expelled liquid volume (ml/20 min, left panel) and frequency of contractions (contractions/20 min, right panel) in control rats and T4-transected rats. Each value represents the mean ± SD (n = 5). *Significantly different between two groups (P < 0.05)