Phospholipase A2 and mediation of the activation of short-circuit current in the rat colonic mucosa

Summary Melittin (0.5–2 g ml^–1) increased the short-circuit current (I_sc) in mucosa-submucosa and mucosa preparations of the rat colon descendens in a dose-dependent manner. In the preparation with the submucosal plexus, quinacrine and indomethacin completely blocked the effect of melittin, indicating activation of phospholipase A₂ and production of prostaglandins induced by the drug. The melittin response was also partially sensitive to the lipoxygenase inhibitor, nordihydroguaiaretic acid. Complete inhibition by tetrodotoxin and atropine gives evidence for the involvement of cholinergic neurons in the mediation of the response induced by melittin. In contrast, in the preparation without the submucosal plexus the effect of melittin was only partially inhibited by quinacrine, indomethacin, or by neuronal blockers, suggesting direct interactions of melittin with the epithelium in addition.The effect of melittin resembles to the action of bradykinin, which is neuronally mediated and quinacrine-sensitive in the mucosa-submucosa preparation, and quinacrine-resistant and not neuronally mediated in the mucosa preparation. In the mucosa-submucosa preparation, the melittin response is even partially sensitive to the bradykinin receptor antagonist [D-Phe⁷]-bradykinin. The results provide evidence for the presence of a quinacrine-sensitive phospholipase A₂ in the preparation with and that without the submucosa.Send offprint requests to: M. Diener at the above address