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A Model of Slow Wave Propagation and Entrainment Along the Stomach

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Abstract

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) isolated from different regions of the stomach generate spontaneous electrical slow wave activity at different frequencies, with cells from the proximal stomach pacing faster than their distal counterparts. However, in vivo there exists a uniform pacing frequency; slow waves propagate aborally from the proximal stomach and subsequently entrain distal tissues. Significant resting membrane potential (RMP) gradients also exist within the stomach whereby membrane polarization generally increases from the fundus to the antrum. Both of these factors play a major role in the macroscopic electrical behavior of the stomach and as such, any tissue or organ level model of gastric electrophysiology should ensure that these phenomena are properly described. This study details a dual-cable model of gastric electrical activity that incorporates biophysically detailed single-cell models of the two predominant cell types, the ICC and smooth muscle cells. Mechanisms for the entrainment of the intrinsic pacing frequency gradient and for the establishment of the RMP gradient are presented. The resulting construct is able to reproduce experimentally recorded slow wave activity and provides a platform on which our understanding of gastric electrical activity can advance.

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Abbreviations

RMP:

Resting membrane potential

ICC:

Interstitial cells of Cajal

SMC:

Smooth muscle cell

ICC-MY:

ICC from the myenteric plexus

ICC–IM:

Intramuscular ICC

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Block E3A #04-15, Singapore, 117574, Singapore

    Martin L. Buist, Alberto Corrias & Yong Cheng Poh

Authors
  1. Martin L. Buist
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  2. Alberto Corrias
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  3. Yong Cheng Poh
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Correspondence to Martin L. Buist.

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Associate Editor Nathalie Virag oversaw the review of this article.

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Buist, M.L., Corrias, A. & Poh, Y.C. A Model of Slow Wave Propagation and Entrainment Along the Stomach. Ann Biomed Eng 38, 3022–3030 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-010-0051-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-010-0051-1

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