Functional and morphological alterations in the rat stomach following exposure to hypertonic NaCl solution

We examined the effects of 1 M NaCl as a mild irritant on gastric potential difference (PD), acid secretion, mucosal blood flow (MBF), and DNA synthetic activity in anesthetized rat stomachs and compared these effects with those of 4 M NaCl as a strong irritant. Both 1 M and 4 M NaCl produced a PD reduction (mucosal injury), but the reduced PD recovered faster in the mucosa exposed to 1 M NaCl as compared to 4 M NaCl. Acid secretion ceased after exposure to these hypertonic NaCl solutions, but histamine infusion (8 mg/kg/hr) stimulated acid secretion only in the mucosa exposed to 1 M NaCl. The MBF was significantly increased in response to 1 M NaCl, while exposure to 4 M NaCl had no effect on the MBF. These changes in acid secretion and MBF induced by 1 M NaCl were significantly antagonized by pretreatment with indomethacin (5 mg/kg, s.c.). The levels of PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha in the corpus mucosa were significantly increased in the stomach exposed to both 1 M and 4 M NaCl, and these increases disappeared in the presence of indomethacin. The rate of [3H]-thymidine incorporation was significantly reduced in the mucosa after exposure to 4 M NaCl, but remained unaltered in the stomach exposed to 1 M NaCl. These results suggest that although both 1 M and 4 M NaCl produced mucosal injury (PD reduction) and enhanced PGs formation, a variety of functional alterations mediated by PGs occurred in response to injury in the stomach exposed to 1 M NaCl. The presence or absence of these functional responses may be associated with the biphasic actions on the gastric mucosa of these hypertonic NaCl solutions as mild and strong irritants.     

A continuous monitoring of mucosal integrity and secretory activity in rat stomach: a preparation using a lucite chamber

We assembled a new system using a lucite chamber and rat stomach for simultaneous measurement of transmucosal potential difference (PD) and luminal pH as indicators of the mucosal integrity and the secretory activity, respectively. The biological preparation involved only the glandular mucosa and responded to a variety of mucosal damaging agents by different degrees of PD reduction, pH increases and histological damages. When the mucosa was exposed for 10 min to 1 M NaCl, the reduced PD was restored with time, reaching the baseline values within 2 hr with histological restitution. Titration of gastric effluent showed that after the exposure, acid secretion ceased and a considerable amount of HCO3- was evident in the lumen, followed by re-secretion of acid. These secretory changes corresponded with those of luminal pH; this remained elevated for 1 hr after the exposure and returned to the basal values 2 hr later. The histological restitution as well as the PD recovery after damage were significantly interfered with by indomethacin (5 mg/kg, s.c.) or vasopressin (10 unit/kg/hr, i.v.), respectively, at the dose which inhibited the increased pH responses caused by 1 M NaCl or reduced the mucosal blood flow. These results suggest that this system may be useful for studying physiological changes of gastric mucosa after acute injury and for screening drugs that may have an effect on the repair process.     

Effects of indomethacin on the duodenal mucosa of rats: comparative study with cysteamine

Effects of indomethacin and cysteamine on the duodenal mucosa of rats were studied microscopically (using scanning electron microscopy) and also functionally. Indomethacin (5 mg/kg, s.c.) induced no microscopic damage to the duodenal epithelium for up to 6 hr after administration. Indomethacin had no effects on gastric H+ output and the amount of H+ in the duodenum, but did reduce the duodenal HCO3- secretion (both basal and 10 mM-HCl stimulated). PGE2 contents in the duodenal mucosa were markedly reduced by indomethacin for 6 hr. These results suggest that reductions of duodenal HCO3- secretion and endogenous prostaglandins per se do not impair the H+ disposal system of the duodenum and so do not damage the epithelial cells. In contrast, cysteamine (100 mg/kg, s.c.) produced microscopic damage to the duodenal epithelium as early as 2 hr later. Cysteamine significantly increased gastric H+ output and reduced duodenal HCO3- secretion, resulting in an increased amount of H+ in the duodenum 3 hr later. Cysteamine had no effect on PGE2 contents in the duodenum. The time lag between damage formation and functional changes suggests that the earliest damage caused by cysteamine occurs by mechanisms other than erosive action of H+ emptied by the stomach. The increased amount of H+ may contribute to an enhancement of the initial damage.     

Determination of bicarbonate output using pH deflection in the rat duodenum: influences of prostaglandins and cholinergic agents

We set up a system to measure the luminal pH, potential difference (PD) and bicarbonate output in the anesthetized rat duodenum, and investigated these responses caused by prostaglandins (PGs) and cholinergic agents. When the proximal duodenum (1.7 cm) was perfused at a flow rate of 0.7 ml/min with saline adjusted to pH 4.5, the duodenal pH, PD and HCO3- output were 5.5 to 6.0, -4 to -6 mV and 1.2 to 1.6 muEq/10 min, respectively; they were markedly reduced by i.v. injection of saturated KCl. Both natural (PGE1, PGE2) and synthetic (PGE2, PGl2) PGs, given either s.c. or i.v., significantly elevated all these parameters, while indomethacin (s.c.) decreased the pH as well as the PD. Small but significant increases of the pH were observed after i.v. administration of cholinergic agents (carbachol, bethanechol), a GABAergic agent (baclofen) and an analogue of thyrotropin releasing hormone (YM-14673), with a temporal elevation of the PD; the degree of net HCO3- output caused by these agents was 20-50% of the values obtained with PGE2 (100 micrograms/kg, i.v.), and they were significantly reduced in the presence of atropine. These results suggest that (a) the system using pH deflections can be used to sensitively detect HCO3- output in the rat duodenum, and (b) duodenal acid neutralizing capacity may be regulated by central and peripheral cholinergic systems as well as endogenous PGs.     

Gas mediators involved in modulating duodenal HCO3(-) secretion

The secretion of HCO3(-) in the duodenum is increased by mucosal acidification, and this process is modulated by gas mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and carbon monoxide (CO), in addition to prostaglandins (PGs). The secretion is increased by NOR3 (NO donor), NaHS (H2S donor), and CORM-2 (CO donor). The HCO3(-) responses to NOR3 and CORM-2 are attenuated by indomethacin, while that to NaHS is mitigated by indomethacin and L-NAME as well as sensory deafferentation. NOR3 and CORM-2 increase mucosal PGE2 production, while H2S increases mucosal PGE2 content and luminal NO release. The HCO3(-) response to mucosal acidification is attenuated by indomethacin, propargylglycine, and SnPP, each inhibiting PG, H2S and CO production, respectively. The acid-induced duodenal damage is worsened when either PG, H2S or CO is lacking. These findings suggest that 1) NO, H2S, and CO, generated endogenously or exogenously, stimulate HCO3(-) secretion in the duodenum; 2) the stimulatory action of NO and CO is mediated, at least partly, by endogenous PGs, while that of H2S is mediated by PGs and NO as well as sensory neurons; 3) these gas mediators are involved in the local regulation of acid-induced HCO3(-) secretion, in addition to endogenous PGs; 4) the acid-induced duodenal damage is worsened by agents inhibiting the endogenous production of NO, H2S or CO. It is assumed that these gas mediators play a role in maintaining the integrity of the duodenal mucosa by modulating the secretion of HCO3(-).     

Phosphodiesterase isozymes involved in regulation of HCO3- secretion in isolated mouse duodenum in vitro

We examined the effects of various isozyme-selective PDE inhibitors on HCO(3)(-) secretion in the mouse duodenum in vitro and investigated which type(s) of phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozymes are involved in the response to PGE(2) and NO. The duodenal mucosa of male DDY mice was stripped of the muscle layer and mounted on an Ussing chamber, and HCO(3)(-) secretion was measured at pH 7.0 by a pH-stat method using 2mM HCl. Both PGE(2) and NOR-3 (NO donor) increased HCO(3)(-) secretion in the mouse duodenum in vitro, and the response to PGE(2) was inhibited by both EP3 and EP4 antagonists but not EP1 antagonist, while that to NOR-3 was inhibited by methylene blue. IBMX, a nonselective PDE inhibitor, significantly increased basal HCO(3)(-) secretion and potentiated the responses to both PGE(2) and NOR-3. Likewise, vinpocetine (PDE1 inhibitor) and cilostamide (PDE3 inhibitor) also increased the basal secretion at high doses and potentiated the HCO(3)(-) response to PGE(2) at doses that had no effect by themselves on the basal secretion. By contrast, the HCO(3)(-) stimulatory action of NOR-3 was significantly potentiated by vinpocetine but not cilostamide. Inhibitors of other PDE subtypes had no effect on the HCO(3)(-) secretion under basal or stimulated conditions. Both PDE1 and PDE3 mRNAs were expressed in the duodenal mucosa. These results suggested that PDE1 and PDE3 are involved in the regulation of duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion and that the response to PGE(2) is associated with both PDE1 and PDE3, while the response to NO is mainly modulated by PDE1.     

Effects of 12-sulfodehydroabietic acid monosodium salt (TA-2711), a new anti-ulcer agent, on gastric mucosal lesions induced by necrotizing agents and gastric mucosal defensive factors in rats

Effects of TA-2711 on gastric mucosal lesions induced by various necrotizing agents and several defensive factors of gastric mucosa were investigated in rats. Oral administration of TA-2711 at 12.5 to 200 mg/kg prevented the formation of gastric mucosal lesions induced by 99.5% ethanol, 0.6 N HCl, 0.2 N NaOH and boiling water with ED50 values of 24, 58, 16 and 101 mg/kg, respectively. Oral TA-2711 at 100 mg/kg increased the gastric mucosal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level without any change in transmucosal potential difference. A sustained decrease in gastric mucosal blood flow produced by intragastric administration of 99.5% ethanol was inhibited by oral TA-2711 (50, 100 mg/kg) and 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 (10 micrograms/kg). The effect of TA-2711 on ethanol-induced decrease in blood flow was suppressed by indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.). Oral TA-2711 (25-100 mg/kg) dose-dependently increased the amount of mucus adherent to the gastric mucosa. In addition, gastric HCO3- secretion was increased by intragastric TA-2711 at 2.5 and 5.0 mg/ml. These results suggest that TA-2711 enhances gastric mucosal resistance by increasing mucus and HCO3- secretion and by maintaining mucosal blood flow, and protects the gastric mucosa against various irritants. The effects of TA-2711 appear to be mediated by mucosal prostaglandins such as PGE2.     

Stimulation by capsaicin of gastric alkaline secretion in anesthetized rats.

Effects of mucosal application of capsaicin on alkaline secretion were examined in the stomachs of anesthetized rats and compared with those in the duodenum. The stomach (acid secretion was inhibited by omeprazole given i.p.) or the duodenum was perfused with saline (pH 4.5); both the pH of the perfusate and transmucosal potential difference (PD) were continuously monitored; and the HCO3- output was determined by the pH change. Under these conditions, the mucosal application of capsaicin (0.3-6 mg/ml for 30 min) caused significantly increased pH and HCO3- output in a concentration-related manner in both tissues, while PD increased in the duodenum and decreased in the stomach. The HCO3- stimulatory action of capsaicin was markedly attenuated by sensory deafferentation, significantly mitigated by prior administration of indomethacin, and exhibited a marked tachyphylaxis after the repeated exposure at a high concentration (6 mg/ml). None of these treatments had any effect on the pH, PD and HCO3- responses induced by prostaglandin E2 (300 micrograms/kg, i.v.) in these tissues. These results indicate that mucosal application of capsaicin increased the gastroduodenal HCO3- output by stimulation of capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons. This action may be in part mediated by endogenous prostaglandins.     

Duodenal ulcers induced by diethyldithiocarbamate, a superoxide dismutase inhibitor, in the rat: role of antioxidative system in the pathogenesis.

Pathogenesis of duodenal ulcers induced by diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), a superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibitor, was investigated in the rat. Repeated s.c. administration of DDC (750 mg/kg) every 12 hr induced duodenal ulcers in the fed rats, and the severity of the ulcers reached the maximum after three injections. DDC not only reduced basal acid output but also impaired duodenal alkaline secretion. These ulcers were significantly prevented by antioxidative agents such as SOD (50000 units/kg, s.c.), allopurinol (50 mg/kg, s.c.) or glutathione (200 mg/kg, s.c.) as well as the antisecretory agent cimetidine (100 mg/kg, s.c.). The impaired HCO3- response caused by DDC was partially but significantly reversed by either SOD (15000 units/kg/hr, i.v.), allopurinol or glutathione; and SOD by itself significantly elevated the rate of basal alkaline secretion. 16,16-Dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (10 micrograms/kg, s.c.) increased duodenal HCO3- output in the presence of DDC and significantly prevented the development of duodenal ulcers in response to DDC. These results suggest that the mucosal antioxidative system including SOD may play a role in the regulatory process of alkaline secretion and contribute to the mucosal defensive ability in the duodenum. The insufficiency of this system may be involved in the pathogenesis of DDC-induced duodenal ulcers.     

Genistein stimulates duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion through PI3K pathway in mice

Genistein has been proposed as a promising pharmacotherapeutic for cystic fibrosis. We recently found that genistein stimulates murine duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion through cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The aim of the present study was to determine the intracellular signal pathways involved in genistein-stimulated duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion. Murine duodenal mucosal HCO(3)(-) secretion was examined in vitro in Ussing chambers by the pH-stat technique. The results showed that neither cAMP-dependent signal pathway inhibitors MDL-12330A and KT-5720, nor cGMP signal pathway inhibitors NS2028 and KT5823, nor calcium signal pathway inhibitors verapamil and W-13, altered genistein-stimulated duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion. In calcium-free solution, genistein-stimulated duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion was not altered either. Vanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase, only partially inhibited genistein-stimulated duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion. However, both wortmannin and LY294002, two structurally and mechanistically distinct phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, markedly inhibited genistein-stimulated duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion. Genistein increased duodenal mucosal PI3K activity and induced the phosphorylation of Akt, a signaling molecule downstream of PI3K, which was again inhibited by wortmannin. Estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI182,780, also markedly inhibited genistein-stimulated duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion and genistein-induced PI3K activity increase in duodenal mucosa. These results demonstrate that genistein stimulates duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion mainly through estrogen receptor and PI3K-dependent pathway. These findings contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanism of genistein-induced anion secretion and further pharmacotherapeutic development and use of genistein or related substances in the treatment of diseases of epithelial tissues.     

Cytoprotective activity of tiquizium bromide (HSR-902) and its mechanism

The effects of HSR-902, an antimuscarinic agent, on acute gastric mucosal lesions induced by various necrotizing agents, gastric mucus secretion and gastric HCO3- secretion in rats were compared with those of pirenzepine.2HCl (pirenzepine), an antiulcer agent. 1) HSR-902 (10-100 mg/kg), given orally, dose-dependently prevented the gastric mucosal lesions induced by ethanol-HCl (60% ethanol in 150 mM HCl), aspirin-HCl (150 mg/kg of aspirin in 150 mM HCl), 0.6 N HCl and 0.2 N NaOH; and the cytoprotective effects of HSR-902 were almost equal or somewhat more potent than those of pirenzepine. 2) HSR-902 (30 mg/kg, p.o.), like pirenzepine, increased the alcian blue binding to gastric mucosa and both hexosamine and N-acetylneuramic acid in gastric juice and reversed the decrease of alcian blue binding to gastric mucosa in water-immersion stress. 3) HSR-902 (30 mg/kg, p.o.), unlike pirenzepine and atropine sulfate, increased the gastric HCO3- secretion in the pylorus-ligated preparations. 4) The cytoprotective effect of HSR-902 (30 mg/kg, p.o.), when examined using gastric mucosal lesion induced by aspirin-HCl, was not abolished by the pretreatment with indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.) or N-ethylmaleimide (10 mg/kg, s.c.). 5) HSR-902 (30 mg/kg, p.o.) did not influence the gastric mucosal potential difference. These results suggest that HSR-902 is a promising drug for the treatment of gastritis and peptic ulcers.     

Pathogenic mechanisms involved in mepirizole-induced duodenal damage in the rat

Mepirizole (60 and 200 mg/kg) administered s.c. induced damage in the surface epithelial cells of the rat proximal duodenum as early as 2 hr after the treatment. 16,16-Dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (dmPGE2, 30 micrograms/kg) administered s.c. significantly protected the duodenal mucosa against mepirizole-induced damage for up to 6 hr. Gastric acid secretion in acute fistula preparations was significantly reduced 1 hr after administration of mepirizole (60 and 200 mg/kg). The secretion reverted to the control level 2 hr later. In the 60 mg/kg-treated group, however, there was a significant increase in the acid output for up to 6 hr. Duodenal HCO3- secretion, stimulated with 10 mM HCl was significantly inhibited with mepirizole (60 and 200 mg/kg). Mepirizole (60 and 200 mg/kg) significantly increased the amount of acid in the duodenum for 2 to 6 hr after the treatment. dmPGE2 (30 micrograms/kg) significantly inhibited gastric acid secretion, stimulated duodenal HCO3- secretion, and reduced the increased amount of acid in the duodenum in response to mepirizole. Endogenous prostaglandin E2 and 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha in the duodenal mucosa were significantly reduced by mepirizole (200 mg/kg) 1 to 2 hr later. Mepirizole-induced duodenal damage appears to be caused by the increased amount of acid in the duodenum.     

Effects of prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibitors and ouabain on duodenal mucosa and HCO3- secretion in rats

A single injection (s.c.) of prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibitors such as indomethacin (5 mg/kg), aspirin (200 mg/kg) and quinacrine (100 mg/kg) or a Na+.K+ ATPase inhibitor such as ouabain (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced the adaptive increase of HCO3- output caused by acid in the duodenum of anesthetized rats. These agents had no effect on basal duodenal HCO3- secretion and histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion. Either of these agents, when given alone, had no effect on the duodenal mucosa of conscious rats, but produced damage in the proximal duodenum within 8 hr when given together with histamine (40 mg/kg X 3, s.c., every 2.5 hr). A significant relationship was found between the degrees of inhibition of acid-induced HCO3- output and the severity of duodenal lesions induced by these drugs (r = 0.8620, P less than 0.01). These results suggest that an impairment of the mechanisms related to acid-induced HCO3- secretion may be particularly relevant to the pathogenesis of duodenal lesions.     

Spizofurone, a new anti-ulcer agent, increases alkaline secretion in isolated bullfrog duodenal mucosa

The effect of spizofurone, a new anti-ulcer agent, on alkaline secretion was studied in an isolated sheet of bullfrog (10(-4)-10(-3) M) as well as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2, 10(-8)-10(-5) M) added to the nutrient solution increased alkaline secretion, transmucosal potential difference (PD) and short-circuit current (Isc), in a concentration-dependent manner. The maximum increases in alkaline secretion stimulated by spizofurone and PGE2 were much the same. Spizofurone also showed this effect when added to the secretory solution while PGE2 did not. Treatment with indomethacin partly but significantly inhibited the effect of spizofurone, but did not affect that of PGE2. These results indicate that the increase in alkaline secretion in bullfrog duodenal mucosa seen in the presence of spizofurone is mediated, at least in part, by stimulation of endogenous PGs synthesis.     

Effects of misoprostol, (+/-)-methyl (11 alpha, 13E)-11, 16-dihydroxy-16-methyl-9-oxoprost-13-en-l-oate, on various gastric and duodenal lesions in rats

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (230-280 g), either fasted for 15-24 hr or non-fasted prior to experiments, were used. Misoprostol (3-100 micrograms/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently inhibited the development of 150 mM HCl X aspirin (100 mg/kg)-, 150 mM HCl X 60% ethanol-, and aspirin (150 mg/kg)-induced gastric lesions. Misoprostol (30, 100 micrograms/kg, p.o.), given twice daily for 4 days, significantly inhibited prednisolone (50 mg/kg given once daily for 4 days)-induced gastric lesions. Misoprostol (30 or 2 X 300 micrograms/kg, p.o.) also significantly inhibited water-immersion stress (21 degrees C, 10 hr)-induced gastric lesions or mepirizole (200 mg/kg)-induced duodenal lesions, respectively. In contrast, misoprostol (30-300 micrograms/kg, p.o.) had no effects on indomethacin (25 mg/kg)- and mepirizole (200 mg/kg)-induced gastric lesions. Misoprostol (30 micrograms/kg, p.o.) had no effect on gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated preparations (4 hr), but it (100 or 300 micrograms/kg, p.o.) significantly increased the volume and pepsin output. Gastric motility, either normal or enhanced with indomethacin (25 mg/kg), was inhibited by misoprostol (30 or 300 micrograms/kg, p.o.). Misoprostol (30 micrograms/kg, i.d.) significantly stimulated duodenal HCO3- secretion. Mechanisms by which misoprostol inhibits various gastric lesions remain unknown. However, the stimulatory activity on duodenal HCO3- secretion appears to be involved in the preventive effect of misoprostol on the development of duodenal lesions. The effects of cimetidine and 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 were also studied and compared with those of misoprostol.     

Bicarbonate secretion in the mucosal defensive mechanism of the duodenum. Acid neutralization with HCO3- in the lumen and mucus gel

Bicarbonate secretion from the surface epithelial cells in the duodenum is an active process depending on tissue metabolism and blood flow, and regulated by humoral and neuronal factors as well as endogenous prostaglandins (PGs). The duodenal mucosa has been also able to respond luminal acid by a significant rise in alkaline secretion, mediated mainly by PGs, and the impairment of this process is involved in the pathogenic mechanism of various duodenal ulcer models. The mechanism of mucosal protection by HCO3- secretion is two ways: one is neutralization of luminal acid, and the other the establishment of pH gradient in the mucus gel with the aid of the physicochemical property of mucus. Although the majority of H+ is neutralized by secreted HCO3- in the lumen and mucus gel, the ultimate mucosal protection is ensured by removal of back-diffused H+ through intramucosal neutralization with HCO3- and translocation by blood flow. Thus, HCO3- secretion in collaboration with mucus plays an important role as the first line of defense (pre-epithelial barrier) in the duodenal mucosal protection.     

Mechanisms involved in aggravation of ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions in adrenalectomized rats

Effects of adrenalectomy (AD) on ethanol-induced gastric injury and prostaglandin (PG) protection on the damage were investigated in rats and compared with those of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), a sulfhydryl (SH) blocker, and diethyl maleate (DEM), a SH depletor. Oral administration of 100% ethanol (1 ml) induced elongated bands of hemorrhagic lesions in the corpus mucosa of sham operated rats, and these lesions were significantly prevented by 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 (dmPGE2, 10 micrograms/kg, s.c.). AD markedly enhanced the mucosal ulcerogenic responses caused by ethanol and abolished the protective effect of dmPGE2; this agent rather worsened the lesions, which appeared throughout the corpus mucosa. AD by itself enhanced the microvascular permeability in the gastric mucosa without any effect on SH contents. These alterations caused by AD were significantly reverted by hydrocortisone treatment (10 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks, s.c.). On the other hand, a single injection of NEM (10 mg/kg, s.c.) similarly enhanced the vascular permeability, worsened the ethanol-induced lesion, and mitigated the protective effect of dmPGE2 without altering mucosal SH contents, while DEM (1 ml/kg, s.c.) significantly reduced the mucosal SH levels and the lesions. These results suggest that AD worsened the mucosal lesions induced by ethanol, probably by enhancing the microvascular permeability, and this action may be due to a lack of steroid secretion but is not directly related to a mucosal SH deficiency.     

Gastroduodenal HCO3-secretion in anesthetized rats: effects of 16,16-dimethyl PGE2, topical acid and acetazolamide

Alkaline secretion was measured in the whole stomach and in the proximal duodenum (2 cm proximal to the outlet of the common bile duct) of anesthetized rats, under basal conditions and in response to topical acid and 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 (16-dmPGE2) given by various routes. Gastric alkaline secretion was unmasked by intraduodenal administration of omeprazole (30 mg/kg). Both the stomach and duodenum consistently secreted bicarbonate in amounts of 0.2-0.4 microEq/15 min and 1.5-2 microEq/15 min as a basal secretion, respectively. 16-dmPGE2, either given subcutaneously (1-30 micrograms/kg), intravenously (3 micrograms/kg/hr) or by topical application for 30 min (0.3-10 micrograms/ml), (concentration)-dependently increased HCO3- secretion in both tissues, but this effect disappeared quickly after sacrifice with KCI (i.v.). Stimulation of HCO3- secretion was also caused by topical acid to the stomach (100 mM HCI for 10 min) or to the duodenum (10 mM HCI for 10 min), but was completely blocked by pretreatment with indomethacin (5 mg/kg, s.c.). Acetazolamide, given subcutaneously at 100 mg/kg, which gives over 80% inhibition of carbonic anhydrase activity in the gastroduodenal mucosa, had no effect on either basal or stimulated HCO3- secretion caused by 16-dmPGE2 (10 micrograms/kg, s.c.). These results indicate that both endogenous and exogenous (16-dmPGE2) prostaglandins stimulate alkaline secretion in the gastroduodenal mucosa of rats, and this mechanism is independent from the carbonic anhydrase activity of the tissue.     

Subsensitivity to cholinoceptor stimulation of the human iris sphincter in situ following acute and chronic administration of cholinomimetic miotic drugs.

1 The effects were studied of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), theophylline and morphine on net water flux and mucosal cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels in the jejunum of anaesthetized rats in vivo. 2 Infusion of PGE1 (3.2 micrograms/min, i.a.) caused a reversal from net water absorption to net secretion and enhanced the mucosal cyclic AMP content by 54%. 3 Theophylline (5 mg/ml, intraluminal) similarly produced a reversal from net water absorption to net secretion and increased mucosal cyclic AMP content by 54%. Additional intra-arterial infusion of PGE1 resulted in a massive increase in net water secretion and an increase in mucosal cyclic AMP content by about 200%. 4 Pretreatment with morphine (10 mg/kg, s.c.) reduced the effect of PGE1 on net water flux and completely inhibited its effect on the mucosal cyclic AMP content. Naloxone (10 mg/kg, s.c.) abolished both effects of morphine. 5 A good correlation (r = 0.99) was demonstrated between mucosal cyclic AMP levels and net water flux. 6 The present results demonstrate that PGE1 stimulates intestinal fluid secretion by increasing mucosal cyclic AMP levels. The antidiarrhoeal effect of morphine can be explained by its inhibition of the PGE-mediated increase in cyclic AMP levels, which, in turn, leads to a reduction in intestinal secretion.     

Effect of colchicine on jejunal adenylate cyclase activity, PGE2 and cAMP contents

The effect of colchicine on jejunal adenylate cyclase activity, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cAMP contents, the enzyme and mediators involved in intestinal fluid secretion was tested in rats. Four h after the intraperitoneal injection of colchicine (0.5 mg/100 g body wt.) mucosal PGE2 content, adenylate cyclase activity and mucosal cAMP content were almost doubled. Pretreatment with indomethacin (4 mg/kg body wt., s.c./day x 2) or methyl prednisolone (3.0 mg/kg body wt.) decreased both the increase in mucosal PGE2 content and the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity induced by colchicine. These results suggest that the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity and an increase in mucosal PGE2 and cAMP contents might be among the mechanisms whereby colchicine induces a net accumulation of water manifested clinically as diarrhea. It is also suggested that the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity is mediated by the increase in mucosal PGE2 content.