The role of the RhoA/ROCK pathway in gender-dependent differences in gastric smooth muscle contraction

Gender-related differences in various gastric functions and diseases have been reported, with women having a higher prevalence of gastrointestinal disturbances than men. The aim of this study was to investigate sex-dependent differences in activation of the Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK; RhoA/Rho kinase) pathway and muscle contraction in the stomach using single gastric smooth muscle cells (GSMC) from male and female Sprague–Dawley rats. Expression of ROCK1 and ROCK2 protein and acetylcholine (ACh)-induced activation of RhoA and ROCK were measured using a specifically designed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and activity assay kits, respectively. Contraction of a single GSMC was measured by scanning micrometry in the presence or absence of the ROCK inhibitor Y27632 dihydrochloride. ACh-induced activation of RhoA and ROCK and subsequent contraction were greater in male rats than in female rats but neither was related to differences in the expression of ROCK1 or ROCK2 or total RhoA amount. Most important, Y27632 inhibited and abolished differences in ACh-induced contraction in both sexes. In conclusion, increased ACh-induced contraction in the GSMC of male rats is attributable to greater RhoA/ROCK activation independent of differences in the expression of ROCK isoforms or total RhoA.