Effects of scorpion venom on electrolyte transport by rabbit ileum

1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (5) ◽  
pp. G501-G506 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Hubel

Scorpion venom, which depolarizes nerves, was used to obtain further evidence that intramural nerves affect ion transport by the rabbit ileum. Ileal epithelium, stripped of muscularis propria, was mounted in a flux chamber modified to permit electrical field stimulation (EFS) of the tissue. Response of the short-circuit current (Isc) to venom was most rapid on the serosal surface, and the response was eliminated by tetrodotoxin. Isc response was influenced by venom batch number and by factors within the tissue. Venom (10 micrograms/ml) and EFS each caused chloride secretion by reducing mucosal-to-serosal movement and by increasing serosal-to-mucosal movement. Sodium transport and residual ion fluxes did not change. In the presence of venom, EFS caused no further changes in ion transport, but tissues still responded to glucose and to aminophylline. The early peak of Isc was reduced about 40% by atropine, implying that acetylcholine, released by venom, stimulates muscarinic receptors. The blockade of the Isc response to venom with tetrodotoxin is further evidence that venom depolarizes intramural nerves and liberates transmitters that cause chloride secretion. The identity of the other transmitters is not known.

1984 ◽  
Vol 247 (3) ◽  
pp. G253-G260 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Hubel

Electrical field stimulation (EFS) depolarizes nerves and causes chloride secretion by mucosa of rabbit ileum mounted in a flux chamber. To test the hypothesis that the transmitter is a peptide, we determined whether the EFS response was prevented by the endopeptidase chymotrypsin (CT). Serosal, but not mucosal, addition of CT (200 micrograms/ml) reduced the short-circuit current (Isc) response to EFS by 90% or more. CT also reduced Cl absorption by decreasing the mucosal-to-serosal flux, but it did not affect net Na absorption. CT prevented the response to vasoactive intestinal polypeptides, but the response returned when CT activity was eliminated. The response to EFS did not return, however, implying that CT damaged cells that released transmitter or epithelial target cells. CT reduced the Isc response to serotonin by 69% and to A23187 by 10% and did not affect the theophylline response. We conclude that 1) the effects of CT on cell function limit its usefulness in identifying peptide neurotransmitters in epithelium, 2) CT irreversibly inhibits ion transport responses to EFS and to serotonin, and 3) CT reduces absorption of Cl probably by affecting a calcium pathway that modifies Cl transport.


1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (1) ◽  
pp. G132-G139 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Frieling ◽  
C. Rupprecht ◽  
A. B. Kroese ◽  
M. Schemann

Conventional flux chamber and intracellular recording methods were used to investigate the mode of action of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) on ion transport in muscle-stripped segments of guinea pig colon and on colonic submucosal ganglion cells. Application of PGD2 resulted in a dose-dependent increase in short-circuit current that was reduced by serosal addition of bumetanide, tetrodotoxin, atropine, or piroxicam, but not hexamethonium. Application of PGD2 to submucosal neurons evoked a depolarization of the membrane potential that was associated with an enhanced spike discharge. In AH/type 2 neurons, postspike afterhyperpolarizations were reduced in amplitude and duration. The depolarizing responses to PGD2 were not affected by tetrodotoxin, indicative of a direct effect of PGD2 on the impaled neurons. Whereas fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were not affected by PGD2, slow EPSPs were reduced by a presynaptic effect, indicating presynaptic suppression of noncholinergic neurotransmitter release. The study demonstrates that PGD2 acts as a neuromodulator to evoke nerve-mediated chloride secretion, predominantly through activation of cholinergic submucosal neurons. The results further indicate that PGD2 released from lamina propria immune cells during antigenic stimulation may influence mucosal function by altering electrical behavior of submucosal neurons.


1992 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 667-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. N. Smith ◽  
E. W. F. W. Alton ◽  
D. M. Geddes

1. The basic defect in cystic fibrosis relates to abnormalities of ion transport in affected tissues, such as the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. The identification of the cystic fibrosis gene has enabled studies on the production of a cystic fibrosis transgenic mouse to be undertaken. Knowledge of normal ion transport will be necessary for the validation of any such animal model. We have therefore characterized selected responses of the murine trachea and caecum mounted in ‘mini’ Ussing chambers under open-circuit conditions. 2. Basal values for the trachea were: potential difference, 1.1 mV (sem 0.2; n=18); equivalent short-circuit current, 20.4 μA/cm2 (3.6); conductance, 18.2 mS/cm2 (1.7). Corresponding values for the caecum were: potential difference, 0.7 mV (0.1; n=18); equivalent short-circuit current, 11.0 μA/cm2 (1.6); conductance, 14.5 mS/cm2 (1.4). 3. Amiloride (10 μmol/l) produced a significant (P < 0.001) fall in potential difference of 43.0% (5.7) in the trachea, but had no significant effect in the caecum. 4. Subsequently, one of three protocols was used to assess the capacity of either tissue for chloride secretion. Addition of a combination of forskolin (1 μmol/l) and zardaverine (10 μmol/l) produced rises in the potential difference of 873% (509) in the trachea and 399% (202) in the caecum. Both A23187 (10 μmol/l) and phorbol dibutyrate (10 nmol/l) increased tracheal potential difference by 350% (182) and 147% (47), respectively. Neither had a significant effect in the caecum. 5. Subsequent addition of bumetanide caused a fall in the stimulated potential difference of between 39.8% and 71.7%, depending on secretagogue and tissue type. 6. When a homozygous transgenic cystic fibrosis mouse becomes available, these responses should allow such an animal to be distinguished from normal or heterozygous mice.


1988 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf Lübcke ◽  
Gilbert O. Barbezat

1. Ion balance, intestinal ion transport in vivo with luminal Ringer, and direct voltage clamping in vivo with luminal Ringer and sodium-free choline-Ringer were studied in young (40 days old) and adult (120 days old) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age-matched normotensive controls (Wistar–Kyoto rats, WKY). 2. Faecal sodium output was significantly higher in SHR compared with WKY in both young (+ 67%) and adult (+ 43%) rats. 3. Small-intestinal sodium absorption was equal in young SHR and WKY, but significantly greater net sodium absorption was found in the ileum of adult SHR. In contrast, net sodium absorption was reduced from the colon of both young and adult SHR. 4. In adult SHR, the colonic transepithelial short-circuit current (Isc) and the transepithelial potential difference (PD) were significantly higher, whereas the transepithelial membrane resistance (Rm) was significantly lower than in WKY. There was an identical drop in Isc in both strains when luminal sodium was replaced by choline. These data cannot be explained by increased electrogenic cation (sodium) absorption in the SHR, but would favour chloride secretion. 5. It is suggested that in SHR membrane electrolyte transport abnormalities may also be present in the epithelial cells of the small and large intestine, as have been demonstrated already in blood cells by several investigators. The SHR may become an interesting experimental animal model for the study of generalized ion transport disorders.


1983 ◽  
Vol 245 (4) ◽  
pp. G562-G567 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Sellin ◽  
R. C. DeSoignie

The effect of glucocorticoids on intestinal ion transport was studied in ileum in vitro from control and methylprednisolone (MP)-treated (40 mg im for 2 days) rabbits under the following conditions: a) basal rates of Na and Cl transport, b) the response to an individual absorptive stimulus (alanine, glucose, or epinephrine), and c) the response to a combination of the three absorptive stimuli. The results indicate that MP 1) increases basal absorption of Na and Cl and secretion of bicarbonate (as measured by residual ion flux), 2) does not alter the specific transport pathways stimulated by maximal doses of alanine, glucose, or epinephrine, but 3) significantly increases the absorptive capacity of ileum. After addition of combined alanine, glucose, and epinephrine, MP-treated ileum absorbed 15.8 mueq X cm-2 X h-1 Na (vs. 6.6 in controls, P less than 0.001) and 9.5 mueq X cm-2 X h-1 Cl (vs. 4.1 in controls, P less than 0.005). Additionally MP did not alter the Na dependence of either the short-circuit current or Cl absorption found in controls, although there appears to be a portion of residual ion flux insensitive to epinephrine inhibition. These data suggest that the MP-induced increase in absorptive capacity is due to an increase in a postapical transport step, most probably the Na pump.


1983 ◽  
Vol 245 (6) ◽  
pp. G780-G785
Author(s):  
M. Donowitz ◽  
S. Cusolito ◽  
L. Battisti ◽  
G. W. Sharp

The effect of dantrolene on active ion transport in rabbit ileum was determined using the Ussing chamber short-circuiting technique. Dantrolene prevents the release of calcium from intracellular stores in skeletal muscle and was used to probe the role of intracellular calcium stores in intestinal ion transport. A saturated solution of dantrolene (approx 25 microM) decreased ileal short-circuit current and potential difference, increased conductance and mucosal-to-serosal and net Na and Cl fluxes, but did not alter serosal-to-mucosal Na and Cl fluxes. The dantrolene stimulation of active Na and Cl absorption was specific since it did not alter glucose-dependent Na absorption, transport changes caused by Ca2+ ionophore A23187, or the increase in short-circuit current caused by dibutyryl cAMP or theophylline. These effects were associated with an increase in total ileal calcium content and a decreased rate of 45Ca2+ efflux without any change in 45Ca2+ influx from the serosal or mucosal surfaces. These findings are consistent with an effect of dantrolene to stimulate active ileal Na and Cl absorption by a mechanism involving lowered cytosol Ca2+ levels and compatible with trapping calcium in intracellular stores. It thus appears as if intracellular calcium stores have an important role in the control of basal ion transport in the intestine.


1982 ◽  
Vol 243 (1) ◽  
pp. G36-G41 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Guandalini ◽  
M. C. Rao ◽  
P. L. Smith ◽  
M. Field

Diarrheagenic strains of Escherichia coli have been shown to produce a heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) that simulates guanylate cyclase, increases short-circuit current (Isc), and inhibits active Cl absorption in the intestine. In rabbit ileum, the ion transport effects are smaller than those produced by cAMP-related agonists. Because ST may be a selective cGMP agonist, we further explored its mode of action in rabbit ileum. ST inhibits net Na and net Cl absorption. ST also inhibits the same fraction of Cl influx across the brush border that theophylline inhibits. At maximal doses, ST and 8-bromo-cGMP (8-Br-cGMP) had nearly equal, nonadditive effects of Isc that were about 66% of that produced by 8-Br-cAMP. ST increased mucosal cGMP concentration 16-fold, whereas epinephrine, an inhibitor of secretion, increased cGMP concentration by only 30%. This is insufficient to alter ion transport because doses of ST that increased cGMP concentration by 100% failed to alter Cl fluxes. Furthermore, epinephrine did not increase cGMP concentration in isolated enterocytes. We conclude that 1) cGMP mediates ST effects on ion transport, and 2) although ST and cAMP-related agonists have the same antiabsorptive effects, ST is less effective in stimulating electrogenic Cl secretion.


1982 ◽  
Vol 242 (3) ◽  
pp. G237-G242 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. B. Chang ◽  
M. Field ◽  
R. J. Miller

Catecholamines are known to decrease short-circuit current (Isc), stimulate NaCl absorption, and inhibit HCO3 secretion in rabbit ileal mucosa in vitro. These effects appear to be mediated by alpha-adrenergic receptors because they are partially blocked by phentolamine and not by propranolol. To further characterize this receptor system, we determined the interactions of epinephrine (Epi) with alpha-subtype-selective antagonists. Prazosin (PZ), a specific alpha 1-antagonist, did not alter the Epi dose-response curve at concentrations up to 10(-5) M. Yohimbine (YO), a specific alpha 2-antagonist, completely inhibited the Epi effect on Isc. At 10(-5) M, YO increased by 70-fold the concentration of Epi required to produce a half-maximal effect (ED50; from 1.4 X 10(-7) M to 10(-5) M). YO and PZ by themselves had no significant effect on Isc in concentrations up to 10(-5) M. Clonidine, a specific alpha 2-agonist, decreased Isc with an ED50 similar to that of Epi; its effect was blocked by YO but not by PZ. Two alpha 1-selective agonists, methoxamine and phenylephrine, only caused a decrease in Isc in doses greater than 10(-5) M. This effect was reversed by YO but not by PZ. The effects of YO and PZ on Epi-modified Cl fluxes were also determined. YO completely aborted the effects of Epi on net Cl flux. No significant effects were seen with PZ. We conclude that the effects of Epi on ileal ion transport are mediated by a specific alpha 2-adrenergic receptor present in ileal mucosa and that no physiologic alpha 1-receptor function can be demonstrated.


1992 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 673-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. L. Travis ◽  
D. P. Jewell

1. Platelet-activating factor is an inflammatory mediator related to eicosanoids which is known to stimulate anion secretion in the distal colon. Since there are regional differences in ion transport within the colon, the influence of platelet-activating factors on ion transport and epithelial permeability has been studied in rabbit caecum and distal colon mounted in Ussing chambers. 2. The effect of platelet-activating factor (1–50 nmol/l) on net electrogenic ion transport was to stimulate a biphasic increase in short-circuit current in the distal colon but not in the caecum. The platelet-activating factor-induced rise in short-circuit current was shown by ion replacement and pharmacological inhibitor studies to be consistent with chloride and bicarbonate secretion in the early phase, but with chloride secretion alone in the later phase. The effect on ion transport was specific and reversible and was enhanced by 0.25% BSA. 3. Colonic permeability, assessed by transmucosal resistance and mannitol flux, was increased by platelet-activating factor in both the distal colon and the caecum. This was consistent with an effect on platelet-activating factor on the paracellular pathway, because resistance decreased even when transcellular chloride transport was inhibited by frusemide or ion replacement. A specific platelet-activating factor antagonist (U66985) inhibited the effects of platelet-activating factor in both the distal colon and the caecum. 4. The results show that platelet-activating factor stimulates anion secretion only in the distal colon, but increases permeability in both the caecum and the distal colon.


1980 ◽  
Vol 239 (3) ◽  
pp. G190-G197
Author(s):  
C. Liebow

Mucosal addition of pancreatic enzymes (i.e., chymotrypsinogen and amylase) to a short-circuited Ussing chamber containing a section of stripped rabbit ileum greatly increases short-circuit current (SCC). SCC increases slowly, requiring several hours to reach peak response to enzyme addition. Serosal addition of enzyme or mucosal addition of albumin produces no such response. Chloride flux in the absence of enzyme conforms to behavior predicted for predominantly paracellular movement. Chymotrypsinogen in the mucosal bath augments serosal-to-mucosal chloride flux in a manner consistent with an intracellular pathway. The chloride secretion produced by enzyme addition is of similar magnitude to the additional increment in SCC.


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