Effects of antisecretory factor-derived peptides on contractions in guinea pig colon

Two antisecretory factor (AF)-derived peptides have been studied in relation to effects on motility of guinea pig colon. Colon segments were isolated from adult guinea pigs and incubated in Tyrode Ringer. Motility was measured as the force and frequency of contractions upon addition of the derived peptides AF 1 (8 amino acids (aa)) and AF 3 (10 amino acids). At the lowest concentration (5 pM), peptide AF 1 induced a negative effect on the force of contraction in colon segments; an effect that was abolished by the cholinergic agonist carbachol. Peptide AF 3 induced a significant increase in the force of colon contractions at all concentrations (5-180 pM), with carbachol only reducing the effect of peptide AF 3 at a concentration of 15 pM. Both peptides increased contractile frequency, although the overall response was lower for peptide AF 3 than for peptide AF 1. It is concluded that antisecretory factor-derived peptides may play a role in regulating colon motility such that under pathophysiological conditions, they may serve to hasten the evacuation of noxious agents from the large intestine.