Fig. 5. Possible mechanism of gastric migrating motor complex. Released motilin from the duodenal mucosa stimulates the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) from the duodenal enterochromaffin cells. Released 5-HT activates 5-HT3 receptors of the vagal afferent. The sensory information is carried to the brain stem (nucleus tractus solitarius and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus) and activates vagal efferent. Finally, motilin initiates gastric phase III via vago-vagal reflex. DMV, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus; NTS, nucleus tractus solitarius; ACh, acetylcholine; MMC, migrating motor complex.
© J Neurogastroenterol Motil
