RAGE expression is up-regulated in human cerebral ischemia and pMCAO rats

To determine whether the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) contributes to cerebral ischemia, we evaluated RAGE expression in human cerebral ischemia and a model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) in rats. Biopsy specimens were obtained from 12 patients with unilateral cerebral infarction. For the pMCAO model, the middle cerebral artery (MCA) of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was permanently occluded. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to measure RAGE expression in the ischemic hemisphere relative to the normal hemisphere. PC12 cells subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) were used to evaluate the role of RAGE in cell injury. As expected, cerebral ischemia patients expressed elevated levels of RAGE in the ischemic hemisphere. In 1 and 2 days pMCAO rats, levels of RAGE were higher in the ischemic hemisphere relative to the non-ischemic hemisphere, and expression was primarily located in the penumbra of the ischemic hemisphere. In PC12 cells, levels of RAGE increased after 7h of OGD culture. Notably, blockade of RAGE with a selective RAGE antibody in vitro reduced the cytotoxicity caused by OGD. The present data suggest that RAGE is up-regulated in human cerebral ischemia and pMCAO rats, suggesting a role for RAGE in brain ischemia.     

Time-course investigation of blood–brain barrier permeability and tight junction protein changes in a rat model of permanent focal ischemia

Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) is an animal model that is widely used to simulate human ischemic stroke. However, the timing of the changes in the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins and synaptic proteins associated with pMCAO remain incompletely understood. Therefore, to further explore the characteristics and mechanisms of blood–brain barrier (BBB) damage during cerebral ischemic stroke, we used a pMCAO rat model to define dynamic changes in BBB permeability within 120 h after ischemia in order to examine the expression levels of the TJ proteins claudin-5 and occludin and the synaptic proteins synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95). In our study, Evans blue content began to increase at 4 h and was highest at 8 and 120 h after ischemia. TTC staining showed that cerebral infarction was observed at 4 h and that the percentage of infarct volume increased with time after ischemia. The expression levels of claudin-5 and occludin began to decline at 1 h and were lowest at 8 and 120 h after ischemia. The expression levels of SYP and PSD95 decreased from 12 to 120 h after ischemia. GFAP, an astrocyte marker, gradually increased in the cortex penumbra over time post-ischemia. Our study helps clarify the characteristics of pMCAO models and provides evidence supporting the translational potential of animal stroke models.     

羟基红花黄素A对脑缺血再灌注后缺血半暗带自噬活性的调节作用

目的:探讨脑缺血再灌注后羟基红花黄素A(hydroxysafflor yellow A,HYSA)对缺血半暗带自噬活性的调控机制。方法:构建雄性SD大鼠脑缺血90 min再灌注模型,分为假手术组、脑缺血再灌注(cerebral ischmia/reperfusion,I/R)组、I/R+HSYA组和假手术+HSYA组,分别在再灌注后6 h、1 d、3 d和7 d对大鼠进行改良神经功能缺损评分(modified neurological severity score,m NSS),同时检测缺血半暗带的自噬活性、凋亡及干扰素β(IFN-β)表达。结果:与假手术组比较,I/R组缺血半暗带在6 h~7 d内可见LC3-Ⅱ蛋白表达增高及SQSTM1/P62蛋白降解,提示自噬激活;与I/R组比较,I/R+HSYA组的自噬活性在1 d和3 d时明显升高(P0.05),7 d时则明显降低(P0.05)。同时,I/R组的IFN-β表达较假手术组在6 h时升高(P0.05),1 d和3 d时降低(P0.05),7 d时恢复正常;而I/R+HSYA组的IFN-β表达在1 d和3 d时明显高于假手术组和I/R组(P0.05),并且3 d时的细胞凋亡少于I/R组,m NSS评分自4 d起明显低于I/R组(P0.05)。结论:HSYA可动态调节缺血半暗带的自噬活性和IFN-β表达,从而改善脑缺血再灌注损伤。     

Down-regulation of delta-opioid receptors in Na+/H+ exchanger 1 null mutant mouse brain with epilepsy

Mice lacking Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1) show a unique epilepsy phenotype although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Since expression of delta-opioid receptor (DOR) may be involved in control of epileptic activity, we conducted immunohistochemistry and autoradiography to investigate whether DOR expression is dys-regulated in the brain of NHE1 null mouse. Immunohistochemistry showed a decline in DOR expression in hippocampus and cortex. Autoradiographic results confirmed that the density of DOR was decreased in most cortical and hippocampal regions such as striate and temporal cortex, hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions (reduced by 27.7 +/- 6.4%, 29.4 +/- 5.1%, 40.7 +/- 4.4% and 20.6 +/- 5.7%, respectively, P < 0.05). These data demonstrate that NHE1 null mutation leads to a reduction of DOR expression in the cortical and hippocampal regions, which provides a new clue for the genesis of epilepsy.     

Effects of acute cisplatin administration on renal ATPase activities and magnesium excretion of rats

Male Wistar rats were killed 1, 2, or 4 days after a single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (5 mg/kg). Functional renal indices, enzymatic activities, and morphological variables were studied. One day after the injection, the treated group showed an increase in the magnesium and phosphate fractional urinary excretion (FE) vs the control group (FE Mg = 5.2 +/- SEM 0.5% vs 13.0 +/- 1.7%; P less than 0.01; and FE P = 4.7 +/- 0.7% vs 14.0 +/- 1.9%; P less than 0.01). Two days after cisplatin administration, a decrease in creatinine clearance of treated animals was found, to 0.33 +/- 0.03 vs 0.51 +/- 0.03 ml/min; P less than 0.05. Na-K-ATPase and ouabain-insensitive ATPase activities were studied in the proximal convoluted tubule, the medullary thick ascending limb of the Henle's loop (mTAL), and the distal convoluted tubule. Only in mTAL one day after the cisplatin injection was there a decrease in Na-K-ATPase activity in the treated group vs controls (1103 +/- 145 vs 1734 +/- 189 pmol Pi/mm.h; P less than 0.05). Morphological studies showed a decrease in mTAL diameters on day 1, and an increase in proximal convoluted tuble diameters at day 2 of treated rats vs controls, at 27.8 +/- 0.6 vs 31.4 +/- 0.7 microns; P less than 0.05, and 50.4 +/- 1.2 vs 47.4 +/- 0.2 microns; P less than 0.05 respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Expression of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform NHE1 in rat skeletal muscle and effect of training

The expression of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform NHE1 was quantified in homogenates of various rat skeletal muscles by means of immunoblotting, and the effect of 3 weeks of treadmill training on NHE1 expression was determined in a red (oxidative) as well as a white (glycolytic)-muscle preparation. The NHE1 antibodies recognized a glycosylated protein at 101-111 kDa. There was a positive correlation between the NHE1 expression in the muscle and percent type IIB fibres and percent type IID/X fibres, whereas the NHE1 expressions were negatively correlated to percent type I fibres and percent type I + IIA fibres. Thus the highest NHE1 expression was evident in the most glycolytic fibres. Treadmill training increased (P < 0.05) the NHE1 content by 29 and 36% in oxidative and glycolytic fibres, respectively, suggesting that training enhanced the NHE1 content of all muscle-fibre types. Therefore training may improve the capacity for pH regulation in skeletal muscle.     

电针对脑梗塞大鼠脑皮质线粒体通透性转换孔的影响

目的观察电针对脑梗塞大鼠脑组织线粒体通透性转换孔的影响,探讨针刺对缺血神经元保护的线粒体机制。方法将45只成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组、非电针组组(线栓法制造脑梗塞灶)和电针组(梗塞后立即给予电针刺激)。非电针组和电针组分别在梗塞后和针灸后1h、3h、6h取材,提取大脑皮质缺血半暗带线粒体,用流式细胞仪检测各组大鼠脑线粒体内Rhodamine123的荧光强度值(FL1)、线粒体前向角散射(FSC)、线粒体90°侧向角散射(SSC)。结果在1h、3h、6h时,非电针组和电针组与对照组相比FL1、SSC值显著低于对照组值(P<0.05),FSC值均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),具有统计学意义;电针组在上述3个时间点与非电针组相比FL1、SSC值高于非电针组值,但P>0.05,FSC值低于非电针组,但P>0.05,差异均无统计学意义;非电针组内、电针组内FL1、FSC、SSC值各自比较,P>0.05,差异均无统计学意义。结论缺血能显著促使缺血半暗带脑皮质线粒体通透性转换孔的开放,促使线粒体肿胀;未发现针刺在缺血后1h、3h、6h能抑制脑线粒体通透性转换孔的开放。     

Renal Na-K-ATPase activity during saline infusion in the rabbit.

During saline infusion, sodium reabsorption (RNa) in the diluting segment (thick ascending limb of Henle's loop) increases acutely. The mechanism for this higher pumping rate of outer medullary Na-K-ATPase is unknown. Following left-sided nephrectomy, immediate i.v. infusion of hypertonic saline increased RNa in the remaining whole right kidney by 28 +/- 14% (p less than 0.05). Na-K-ATPase activity in outer medulla was raised by (delta) 23 +/- 4% above the left kidney (p less than 0.05), whereas cortical activity was unchanged. The mechanism for this increase in Na-K-ATPase activity was explored. The catalytic rate per enzyme did not differ in the two kidneys and equalled 5 340 min-1. The increase was therefore due to higher tissue concentration of active enzyme. The response was fully developed during continuous infusion within 20 min, and of equal magnitude whether protein synthesis had been inhibited by cycloheximide (delta = 23 +/- 7%) or stimulated by unilateral nephrectomy 6 days earlier combined with saline infusion for 2 h (delta = 34 +/- 10%). Thus, during hypertonic saline infusion, the increased RNa in the outer medulla was partly accounted for by the activation of latent Na-K-ATPase. High delivery of sodium to the diluting segment for more than 20 min during hypertrophy caused no further activity change.     

L-丝氨酸对永久性大脑中动脉栓塞大鼠的神经保护作用

目的: 研究L-丝氨酸对大鼠永久性脑梗死的神经保护作用、治疗剂量及有效治疗时间窗,并探讨相关作用机制。方法: 制作大鼠永久性大脑中动脉栓塞(pMCAO)模型,腹腔注射L-丝氨酸,通过神经行为学评分、脑梗死体积测定和尼氏染色法,观察L-丝氨酸的治疗剂量效应(56 mg/kg、168 mg/kg和504 mg/kg治疗组)和治疗时间窗(1 h、3 h、6 h、12 h和24 h治疗组);并测定丝氨酸消旋酶抑制剂对L-丝氨酸疗效的影响。利用激光多普勒血流监测仪观察缺血区血供及L-丝氨酸对缺血区局部脑血流量的影响。结果: 与pMCAO组相比,L-丝氨酸于pMCAO后3 h使用,168 mg/kg和504 mg/kg两个剂量都能较好地降低神经行为学评分,减少脑梗死体积,抑制海马CA1区神经细胞的丢失。在治疗时间窗的研究中,L-丝氨酸在pMCAO后6 h内治疗具有明显的神经保护作用,12 h及以后使用,神经保护作用不明显。丝氨酸消旋酶抑制剂不改变L-丝氨酸的疗效。脑缺血30 min时注射L-丝氨酸可明显增加缺血区局部脑血流量,并且这一作用不受甘氨酸受体阻断剂士的宁的影响。结论: L-丝氨酸对永久性脑梗死具有神经保护作用,其机制可能部分与增加缺血区皮质的血供有关。     

大鼠脑缺血再灌流后神经细胞凋亡与caspase-3和caspase-9基因表达

目的：探讨大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌流后神经细胞凋亡及其与caspase-3和caspase-9基因表达的关系。方法：应用原位末端标记和原位杂交技术分别观察细胞凋亡与caspase-3mRNA和caspase-9mRNA表达。结果：脑缺血再灌流后，凋亡神经细胞主要分布于缺血半影区，随着时间的延长凋亡细胞数逐渐增加，至24h达高峰。在缺血半影区，再灌流后神经细胞caspase-3mRNA和caspase-9mRNA表达逐渐增强，到24h阳性细胞数目最多，COD值最高，而缺血中心区两基因均弱表达。结论：脑缺血再灌流后神经细胞凋亡是一个动态的渐进过程。caspase-3和caspase-9基因表达在介导细胞凋亡过程中起重要作用。     

五味子醇甲通过调控自噬流减轻大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤

目的:探究五味子醇甲(Sch A)减轻大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的作用及其潜在机制.方法:成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(sham组)、模型组[大脑中动脉闭塞(MCAO)组]及Sch A低、中、高剂量治疗组,每组6只.制备大鼠左侧MCAO模型,90 min后再灌注,治疗组Sch A的剂量分别为40、80和160μg·kg?...     

高血糖和脑缺血对树鼩皮层不同区域VEGF表达的影响

目的：研究高血糖及局灶性脑缺血条件下,树鼩皮层不同区域VEGF表达的变化,探讨脑缺血、高血糖与VEGF之间的相互关系。方法：用链脲佐菌素复制树鼩高血糖模型,并建立光化学诱导皮层局灶性脑缺血,观察缺血4 h、24 h及72 h的病理形态学改变并计数海马神经元密度,用免疫组化法测定上述时间树鼩缺血中心区、半暗带、对侧皮层VEGF表达的动态变化。结果：形态学观察显示,光化学反应后4 h照射区皮层可见梗塞灶;24 h病损达高峰;72 h伴随胶质细胞增生等修复性反应。相应时点高血糖加缺血组的损伤大于缺血组,以缺血后24 h(P<0.01)和72 h(P<0.05)尤为显著。免疫组化染色表明,缺血后4 h皮层缺血半暗区可见VEGF表达增加, 24 h达高峰,72 h减弱;单纯高血糖也使VEGF表达上调;高血糖加缺血组VEGF表达强于单纯高血糖组(P<0.05),但高血糖加缺血组与缺血组的同期值比较,无显著差异。结论：(1)在低等灵长类动物树鼩体内注射链脲佐菌素,并结合血栓性局部脑缺血方法学的应用能成功复制出实验性高血糖及脑缺血模型;(2)实验证明高血糖对局灶性脑缺血有恶化加重作用;(3)脑缺血及高血糖均可分别作为独立因素诱导VEGF的表达;但缺血与高血糖相加对VEGF表达未显示出叠加效应。     

Comparison between coated vs. uncoated suture middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat as assessed by perfusion/diffusion weighted imaging

Differences among models in the temporal evolution of ischemia after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats may considerably influence the results of experimental treatment studies. Using diffusion and perfusion imaging, we compared the spatiotemporal evolution of ischemia in Sprague-Dawley rats after permanent MCAO (pMCAO) with different types of sutures. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to pMCAO produced with either 4-0 silicone coated (n=8), or 3-0 uncoated monofilaments (n=8). Serial determination of quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were performed up to 3 h after pMCAO. Lesion volumes were calculated by using previously validated thresholds and correlated with infarct volume corrected for edema defined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining at 24 h after MCAO. The ADC/CBF-defined mismatch volume in the 4-0 coated suture model was present significantly longer (up to 120 min) compared to the uncoated 3-0 suture model (30 min). The TTC-derived infarct volume was significantly larger in the coated model (290.3+/-32.8 mm(3)) relative to the uncoated model (252.3+/-34.6 mm(3)). This study demonstrates that the type of suture may significantly influence the spatiotemporal evolution of the ADC/CBF-mismatch as well as the final infarct volume. These inter-model variations must be taken into account when assessing new therapeutic approaches on ischemic lesion evolution in the rat MCAO model.     

Functional role of Na+–HCO3− cotransport in migration of transformed renal epithelial cells

Cell migration is crucial for immune defence, wound healing or formation of tumour metastases. It has been shown that the activity of the Na⁺–H⁺ exchanger (NHE1) plays an important role in cell migration. However, so far it is unknown whether Na⁺– HCO₃⁻ cotransport (NBC), which has similar functions in the regulation of intracellular pH (pH_i) as NHE1, is also involved in cell migration. We therefore isolated NHE-deficient Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK-F) cells and tested whether NBC compensates for NHE in pH_i and cell volume regulation as well as in migration. Intracellular pH was measured with the fluorescent pH indicator 2'7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). The expression of NBC isoforms was determined with semiquantitative PCR. Migration was monitored with time-lapse video microscopy and quantified as the displacement of the cell centre. We found that MDCK-F cells express the isoform NBC1 ( SLCA4A gene product) at a much higher level than the isoform kNBC3 ( SLCA4A8 gene product). This difference is even more pronounced in NHE-deficient cells so that NBC1 is likely to be the major acid extruder in these cells and the major mediator of propionate-induced cell volume increase. NHE-deficient MDCK-F cells migrate more slowly than normal MDCK-F cells. NBC activity promotes migration during an acute intracellular acid load and increases migratory speed and displacement on a short timescale (< 30 min) whereas it has no effect on the long-term behaviour of migrating MDCK-F cells. Taken together, our results show that NBC actvity, despite many functional similarities, does not have the same importance for cell migration as NHE1 activity.     

大鼠脑缺血/再灌注过程中葡萄糖转运体1在缺血半影区的表达

目的:研究局灶性脑缺血大鼠在不同缺血时间和不同再灌注时间的脑梗塞体积比、皮质半影区葡萄糖转运体1(GLUT1)转录水平和蛋白水平的表达。方法:用线栓法复制大鼠局灶性脑缺血模型,用KontronIBAS2.5全自动图像分析系统进行图像分析脑梗塞体积比;剥取缺血半影区皮质组织,采用反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR),测定GLUT1mRNA水平的变化;用免疫组织化学半定量测定GLUT1蛋白水平的变化。结果:脑缺血1h后再灌注脑梗塞体积明显小于缺血3h再灌注。GLUT1mRNA自1h即开始升高,24h到达高峰,1周时仍高于假手术对照组;缺血3h再灌注组在3h开始升高,24h到高峰,1周后仍高于正常,但升高幅度不及MCAO1h/R组。MCAO1h/R组GLUT1蛋白水平自3h开始升高,24h达到高峰,1周时接近正常;MCAO3h/R组GLUT1在3h下降,继之升高,24h到高峰,1周时接近正常。结论:GLUT1在缺血半影区的表达上调,可能是机体对缺血损伤的保护性反应。     

葡萄糖转运体3在脑缺血/再灌注后半影区表达的变化及意义

目的:研究大鼠局灶性脑缺血不同缺血时间和不同再灌注时间的脑梗塞体积比、皮质半影区葡萄糖转运体3(GLUT3)转录水平和蛋白水平的表达。方法:用线栓法复制大鼠局灶性脑缺血模型,用Kontron IBAS2.5全自动图像分析系统检测脑梗塞体积比;剥取缺血半影区皮质组织,采用反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)测定GLUT3 mRNA水平的变化;用免疫组织化学方法半定量测定GLUT3蛋白水平的变化。结果:脑缺血1 h后再灌注组的脑梗塞体积明显小于缺血3 h再灌注组梗塞体积。GLUT3自3 h即开始升高,24 h到达高峰,1周时仍高于假手术对照组;缺血3 h再灌注组在3 h有一下降点,然后升高,24 h到高峰,1周时接近正常水平。GLUT3蛋白水平的表达与mRNA相符合。结论:GLUT3在缺血半影区的表达上调,可能是机体对缺血／再灌注的保护性反应。     

Protective role of hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase in transient focal cerebral ischemia in mice

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury is characterized by the development of inflammatory response, in which vascular macrophages and endogenous microglia are involved. Recent studies showed marked induction of hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase (HPGDS) after ischemic/reperfusion injury and its localization in microglia, but the molecular mechanism(s) of HPGDS actions in cerebral ischemia is not clear. To clarify the role of HPGDS in cerebral ischemia, C57BL/6 mice and bone marrow chimera mice with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury were treated with (4-benzhydryloxy-(1) {3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-propyl}piperidine (HQL-79), a specific inhibitor of HPGDS. The bone marrow chimera mice exhibit expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in bone marrow/blood-derived monocytes/macrophages. Mice were subjected to ischemia/reperfusion and either treated with HQL-79 (n=44) or vehicle (n=44). Brain sections prepared at 72 h and 7 days after reperfusion were analyzed for neuronal nuclei (NeuN), HPGDS, ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), nitrotyrosine, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The mortality rate (80%) and infarct size were larger in HQL-79- than vehicle-treated mice (58.7±8.5 versus 45.2±4.9 mm³; mean±SEM, P<0.0001) at 7 days after reperfusion. HQL-79 reduced NeuN expression in the transition area and Iba1 expression (P<0.0001) in the ischemic peri- and penumbra area, but increased COX-2 (P<0.05) and NF-kB expression (P<0.05) in ischemic penumbra and increased formation of nitrotyrosine (P<0.0001) and iNOS (P<0.0001) in the ischemic core area at 72 h and 7 days after reperfusion. In EGFP chimera mice, HQL-79 increased the migration of Iba1/EGFP-positive bone marrow-derived monocytes/macrophages, and simultaneously upregulated iNOS expression in the ischemic core area (P<0.0001), but increased intrinsic microglia/macrophages in ischemic peri-area and penumbra (P<0.0001) at 72 h and 7 days after reperfusion, suggesting involvement of monocytes/macrophages in HQL-79-induced expansion of ischemic injury. Our results demonstrated that the neuroprotective effects of HPGDS in our model are mediated by suppression of activation and infiltration of inflammatory cells.     

Distribution of pH regulators in the rat laryngeal nerve: the spatial relationship between Na(+)/HCO(3)(-) cotransporters and Na(+)/H(+) exchanger type 3

We studied the distribution of Na(+)/HCO(3)(-) cotransporters (NBC) and Na(+)/H(+) exchanger type 3 (NHE3) in the laryngeal nerve by immunohistochemistry to elucidate the spatial relationship of pH regulation system in the peripheral nerves. The nervous components, i.e., the nerve cells in the nodose and local ganglia and nerve fibers, were immunoreactive for NBC. Glial components such as Schwann cells and satellite cells surrounding nerve fibers and nerve cell bodies were also immunoreactive for NBC in most cases, while the cells comprising the perineurium and endoneurium were immunoreactive for NHE3. These results suggest that NBC-dependent pH regulation systems are present in the laryngeal nerve. Whereas, NHE3 may regulate extracellular pH rather than intracellular pH. In conclusion, spatial relationship of NBC and NHE3 in the laryngeal nerve would be important for pH regulation. Perineural lymph may have key role for acid-induced modulation of axons and Schwann cells.     

Potassium secretion by colonic mucosal cells after potassium adaptation.

Recent studies have demonstrated that chronic potassium loading increases Na-K-ATPase specific activity in kidney tissue and suggest that this enzyme plays a role in renal potassium adaptation. Studies of fluid and electrolyte movement, potential difference (PD), AND Na-K-ATPase were performed in colon and jejunum of the rat in order to further characterize the relationship of Na-K-ATPase to potassium secretion. Experimental rats fed 2.6 meq K/gm diet for 7 days were compared to a control group fed 0.13 meq K/gm. In the colon, chronic potassium loading increased potassium secretion from 0.8 +/- 0.2 to 3.9 +/- 0.9 mueq/min per g tissue (P less than 0.01) and PD from 27 +/- 5.0 to 54 +/- 2.6 mV (P less than 0.001), lumen negative, as Na-K-ATPase increased from 5.0 +/- 0.5 to 11.4 +/- 1.0 muM Pi/mg protein per h (P less than 0.001). In contrast, there was no change in PD, potassium movement, or Na-K-ATPase in the jejunum of potassium-loaded rats. Colonic movement of water, sodium, and chloride was similar in the control and potassium-loaded rats. These results indicate that increased Na-K-ATPase is associated with both increased PD and increased potassium secretion in the colon and provide additional evidence suggesting that Na-K-ATPase may be important in the control of transepithelial potassium movement.