The influence of blood flow and water net flux on the absorption of tritiated water from the jejunum of the rat

Loperamide. Survey of studies on mechanism of its antidiarrheal activity

In castor oil challenged rats, low doses of loperamide inhibit diarrhea and normalize intestinal propulsion. Unlike other opioids, loperamide is devoid of central opiate-like effects, including blockade of intestinal propulsion, up to the highest subtoxic oral dose. Nevertheless, the antidiarrheal action of loperamide can be considered to be mu-opiate receptor mediated, only a few in vitro effects at rather high concentrations being not naloxone-reversible. There is little evidence that interactions with intestinal opiate receptors directly change epithelial cell function. When secretory stimuli increase mucosal tension, however, loperamide may reverse the elevated hydrostatic tissue pressure that opposes normal absorption. This antisecretory effect at the mucosal level is accompanied by motor effects when loperamide reaches the myenteric mu-opiate receptors. At therapeutic doses for the treatment of acute diarrhea, it is likely that the mucosal effect prevails.

Factors involved in absorption of organic mercuric compounds from rat small intestine: comparative study with mercuric chloride in situ

A correlation between absorption of organic mercuric compounds and their molecular weight or lipophilicity was investigated by the perfusion of rat small intestine. The intestine was perfused for 1.0 hr at different osmolarity and different pH with buffers containing 10(-4) M organic mercuric compounds, methyl mercuric chloride (MMC), phenyl mercuric chloride (PMC), p-chloromercuribenzoic acid (PCMB) and p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid (PCMBS). The order of absorption of these compounds at several osmolarities and pHs (MMC greater than PMC greater than PCMB greater than PCMBS) was inversely correlated to their molecular weight. The increase in pH decreased markedly the absorption and n-octanol/water partition coefficient of PCMB, and it decreased scarcely those of MMC, PMC and PCMBS. The order of the coefficients at each pH was as follows; PMC greater than MMC greater than PCMB greater than PCMBS, in disagreement with the order of absorption. These results suggest that the molecular weight is more important factor in the intestinal absorption of organic mercuric compounds than the lipophilicity.

Significance of calcium for the prostaglandin E2-mediated secretory response to 5-hydroxytryptamine in the small intestine of the rat in vivo

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) has been claimed to mediate intestinal secretion in morphine withdrawal diarrhea through stimulation of local prostaglandin formation without involving cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Therefore, experiments were performed to study (a) the effects of exogenous 5-HT and the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent secretagogue, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, on intestinal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation and (b) the involvement of calcium in the secretory response to close intraarterial infusion of 5-HT, PGE2, or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in tied-off loops of rat jejunum in vivo. 5-Hydroxytryptamine and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide reversed fluid absorption to net secretion (p less than 0.01), but only 5-HT caused an increase in luminal PGE2 output (p less than 0.01). Indomethacin and d,l-verapamil prevented only the secretory effect of 5-HT. Exogenous PGE2 (1.6-160 ng/min) reversed absorption to secretion (p less than 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner, irrespective of whether the rats were pretreated with indomethacin or not. Racemic and l-verapamil, but not d-verapamil, markedly reduced (p less than 0.01) the secretory effect of physiologically low doses of PGE2 (1.6 and 16 ng/min), whereas high doses of PGE2 (160 ng/min), which caused a significant increase in mucosal cyclic adenosine monophosphate (p less than 0.005), were not inhibited by verapamil. These data suggest that PGE2 may be an important intermediate in the transduction mechanism leading to 5-HT-induced intestinal secretion, and that physiologic doses of PGE2 may act by facilitating calcium entry, rather than by increasing intracellular calcium through activation of the adenylate cyclase.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and peptide YY (PYY) inhibit prostaglandin E2-induced intestinal fluid and electrolyte secretion in the rat jejunum in vivo

NPY, a recently discovered peptide consisting of 36 amino acids, is present in intrinsic intestinal nerves and in extrinsic noradrenergic nerves innervating intestinal blood vessels. We have investigated the influence of NPY and of the structurally related peptide YY (PYY) on the effect of PGE2-induced fluid and electrolyte secretion in the tied-off rat jejunum in vivo. Close intraarterial infusion of PGE2 (4.5-450 pmol X min-1) dose dependently reversed the net absorption of fluid, sodium and chloride into net secretion (P less than 0.01 for all three parameters). Additional i.a. infusion of NPY significantly inhibited the effect of PGE2 (45 pmol X min-1) on fluid transport at infusion rates of 0.4 and 4.0 pmol X min-1 (P less than 0.01). Infusion of 0.04 pmol X min-1 NPY was without effect. PGE2-induced sodium and chloride secretion were also significantly reduced by NPY at an infusion rate of 0.4 but not of 0.04 pmol X min-1. NPY alone was without any effect on fluid or electrolyte absorption in the controls. PYY, which is present in endocrine cells but not in nerves in the gut, was without effect at 0.4 pmol X min-1 and slightly but significantly reduced PGE2-induced fluid secretion at 4.0 pmol X min-1. It is concluded that NPY is a potent inhibitory factor in the neuronal control of intestinal fluid and electrolyte transport.

In vivo studies of mucosal-serosal transfer in rat jejunum

In anesthetized rats, the appearance rates of a series of labeled substances in jejunal venous blood (phi B) and serosal bath (phi S) were measured in vivo (intestinal blood flow rate 1.5 ml min-1 g-1) after intraluminal administration of 0.5 ml buffer solution (initial concentration 1 mmol/1 or 1 GBq/1 tritiated water) into a closed jejunal segment (length 4-5 cm). Between 32% (erythritol) and 93% (salicylic acid) of the administered activity (unchanged substance and possible metabolites) appeared in the intestinal venous blood within 60 min. The fraction recovered from the serosal bath after 15 (60) min was 11 (6)% for tritiated water, 7 (4)% for aniline, 3 (7)% for aminopyrine, 5 (4)% for butanol, 3 (3)% for benzyl alcohol, 2 (4)% for benzylamine, 1-2% for benzoic acid, theophylline, methyl-alpha-D -glucopyranoside, L-lysine, antipyrine, and urea, and less than 1% for L-phenylalanine, D-galactose, erythritol, and salicylic acid. During single pass perfusion of a jejunal segment (length 3-4 cm) the fraction of serosal transfer phi S/(phi B + phi S) was 19% for tritiated water, 4.9% for antipyrine, 0.5% for benzoic acid, and 0.08% for salicylic acid. Distension of the intestinal wall by administration of 1 ml buffer solution instead of 0.5 ml increased the appearance rate of benzoic acid and antipyrine in intestinal venous blood by a factor of 2 and serosal transfer by a factor of approximately 3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Feeding augments canine jejunal absorption via a hormonal mechanism

The aim of this study was to determine whether hormones mediate the postprandial increase in absorption of water, glucose, and electrolytes that occurs in the canine jejunum. In four dogs, a 75-cm isolated loop of jejunum was extrinsically denervated by autotransplantation. After recovery, the loop was perfused at 2.8 ml/min with an isotonic solution of 130 mM glucose, 80 mM NaCl, and trace amounts of [14C]PEG. Mean transit times through the loop were assessed concurrently with 0.5-ml boluses of [3H]PEG. Experiments were performed during fasting and after an oral meal of 200 g liver. Under steady-state conditions, net absorption of water, glucose, sodium, and chloride was greater after feeding than during fasting. In contrast, mean transit times were nearly identical during fasting and after feeding. We concluded that the augmentation of jejunal absorption of water, glucose, and the electrolytes after feeding was brought about by mechanisms other than alterations in transit time or effects induced via the extrinsic nerves. The augmentation appeared to be mediated, in part, by hormones.

Intrinsic regulation of functional blood flow and water absorption in canine colon

1. Autoregulation of total and absorptive site blood flow and H2O fluxes were studied in canine colon during arterial pressure decreases and venous pressure elevations. 2. Reductions in arterial pressure caused proportional decreases in total colonic blood flow indicating no autoregulatory ability. In contrast, absorptive site blood flow was constant over an arterial pressure range of 40-140 mmHg but decreased sharply below 40 mmHg. 3. Venous pressure elevation decreased total blood flow and increased resistance but had no effect on absorptive site blood flow over a range of 0-30 mmHg. 4. Net H2O absorption was unchanged by alteration of arterial or venous pressure but the unidirectional H2O fluxes decreased with arterial pressure reduction and were unchanged by venous pressure elevation. 5. Adenosine infusion increased total and absorptive site blood flow and the unidirectional H2O fluxes yet had no effect on net H2O flux. 6. It was concluded that absorptive site blood flow is very well autoregulated in the colon but total blood flow is not. Net H2O absorption is maintained during decreased blood flow by maintenance of blood flow to the mucosa and by decreasing the back flux of H2O across the mucosa.

Effects of pentagastrin on intestinal absorption and blood flow in the anaesthetized dog

1. Pentagastrin (1, 10 micrograms/min) was infused I.V. into fed and fasted anaesthetized dogs and the intestinal absorption of NaCl and H2O and blood flow were determined. The influence of pentagastrin-induced cardiovascular changes on absorption was investigated. 2. 22Na and 3H2O were used to determine the unidirectional Na and H2O fluxes from saline perfused through the ileal lumen and the clearances of 3H2O were used to calculate total and absorptive site blood flow. 3. Ileal absorption of Na and H2O was reduced by 10 micrograms/min pentagastrin due primarily to significant increases in the secretory flux of Na and decreases in the absorptive flux of H2O in both fed and fasted animals. 4. Neither total intestinal blood flow, arterial nor mesenteric vein pressure were changed by pentagastrin but absorptive site blood flow was decreased in fasted but not in fed dogs. 5. Pretreatment with atropine reduced the effects of pentagastrin but pretreatment with guanethidine potentiated the effects of pentagastrin. 6. Absorptive site blood flow was positively linearly correlated with the absorptive fluxes of both Na and H2O. The relationships between the secretory fluxes of Na and H2O and estimated capillary pressure were changed from a positive relationship in control periods to a less positive or negative relationship following pentagastrin. 7. It was concluded that pentagastrin reduces intestinal absorption through both a cardiovascular effect and an effect on the intestinal epithelium. Also, there is a strong autonomic component in the effects of pentagastrin on intestinal absorption.

Effects of morphine on canine intestinal absorption and blood flow

1 Intestinal absorption and blood flow were determined in anaesthetized fed or fasted dogs following rapid intravenous injections of morphine (0.01, 0.1, 1 mg/kg). 2 3H2O and 22Na were used to determine the unidirectional fluxes of Na+ and H2O from saline perfused through the ileal lumen and the clearances of 3H2O were used to determine total and absorptive site blood flow. 3 Net Na+ and H2O absorption were increased at each dose of morphine in fed but not in fasted dogs, due primarily to increased absorptive fluxes. 4 Arterial pressure was decreased by morphine but mesenteric vein pressure was little affected. Absorptive site blood flow was increased by morphine due to decreased blood flow resistance but total blood flow resistance was little affected by morphine. 5 The absorptive fluxes of Na+ and H2O were correlated with absorpitve site blood flow in both fed and fasted animals. The secretory fluxes of Na+ and H2O were correlated with estimated capiliary pressure in fasted dogs but morphine decreased the the secretory fluxes at a given capillary pressure in dogs which had been fed. 6 Naloxone (0.12 mg, i.v.) reversed the effects of morphine. The effects of morphine on the gut were reversed more slowly than on systemic blood pressure. 7 It was concluded that morphine can increase net absorption in fed dogs by a selective increase in intestinal absorptive site blood flow and thus increase absorptive fluxes by a washout effect but that there is also an epithelial effect, sensitized by feeding, which reduces the secretory fluxes of Na+ and H2O.

The choice of models relating tritiated water absorption to subepithelial blood flow in the rumen of sheep

1. The blood flow to the ruminoreticulum of anaesthetized sheep was varied by changing the proportion of CO2 in the gas stirring solutions confined to this organ. 2. Clearance of tritiated water was thereby varied fourfold, from 10 to 44ml./min.100 g epithelium, with negligible net water movement. 4. Subepithelial blood flow, observed with radioactive microspheres using the reference organ technique, varied tenfold, from 20 to 200 ml./min.100 g epithelium. 4. The relation between tritiated water absorption and blood water flow was approximated by a hyperbolic model, but was appreciably better described using a higher order term in blood flow consistent with a countercurrent exchange of tritiated water between arterioles and venules. 5. The distribution of blood flow between different regions of the organ and between epithelium and muscle is described.

Effect of altered intestinal water transport on rabbit ileal blood flow

A method is described for measuring ileal blood flow in the anesthetized (pentobarbital sodium) rabbit by the intraventricular injection of microspheres (15 micrometer) labeled with cerium-141 or chromium-51; with this method the amount of labeled microspheres lodging in the tissue is proportional to the blood flow. Blood flow to the ileal mucosa plus submucosa could be separated from flow to the ileal muscularis propria plus serosa by this technique. Simultaneous and sequential injections of radiolabeled microspheres gave similar measurements of ileal blood flow and did not affect ileal water absorption. Increasing ileal water absorption by treatment with the glucocorticoid methylprednisolone (3 mg/100 g per day for 3 days) increased blood flow to both compartments of the ileum and also to the colon, liver, and kidneys; methylprednisolone treatment did not alter blood flow when studies were performed before the methylprednisolone-induced increase in ileal water absorption had occurred. In contrast, intestinal secretagogues that induced both active ileal secretion (purified cholera toxin and serotonin) and passive ileal secretion (hypertonic mannitol) did not affect ileal blood flow. These studies indicate that increased ileal water absorption is associated with increased ileal blood flow, whereas intestinal secretion is not necessarily associated with an alteration in ileal blood flow.

Effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on intestinal absorption and blood flow

1. Intestinal absorption and blood flow in anaesthetized dogs was determined after I.V. infusion of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) (1.75-175 ng/min) to determine the contribution of the cardiovascular changes to transport. 2. 22Na and 3H2O were utilized to determine the unidirectional fluxes of Na and H2O from saline perfused through the ileal lumen and the clearances of 3H2O were used to determine total and absorptive site blood flow. 3. Net Na and H2O absorption were reversed to secretion by VIP at 175 ng/min due to a significant decrease in unidirectional absorptive fluxes and smaller increases in secretory fluxes. 4. Arterial pressure and absorptive site blood flow were reduced in proportion to the changes in Na and H2O fluxes. 5. Total and absorptive site blood flow decreased and the blood flow resistances increased. 6. Prior treatment with guanethidine to suppress sympathetic effects did not greatly affect the responses to VIP. Prior treatment with atropine to suppress cholinergic effects inhibited most of the effects of VIP. 7. Absorptive site blood flow was linearly related to absorptive fluxes of Na and H2O but with different slopes for results from atropinized dogs as compared to those from dogs given VIP alone or VIP plus guanethidine. 8. It was concluded that VIP reduces gut absorption through a generalized cardiovascular effect and also through a mechanism which depends on the release of ACh by the gut.

The function of prostaglandins in transmucosal water movement and blood flow in the rat jejunum

1. Jejunal loops of anaesthetized rats were perfused with isotonic buffer containing PGE1, PGF2alpha or indomethacin. Intestinal blood flow, absorption and secretion of tritiated water were measured. 2. PGE1 at the low concentration of 0.1 microgram ml-1 did not influence intestinal blood flow but increased secretion and decreased absorption of tritiated water. In higher concentrations (0.5 and 6.5 microgram ml-1), blood flow, secretion and absorption were enhanced. 3. PGF2alpha, even in the high concentration of 50 microgram ml-1, did not influence intestinal blood flow but enhanced secretion and decreased absorption of tritiated water. 4. Indomethacin (1 microgram ml-1) decreased intestinal blood flow and secretion but enhanced absorption of tritiated water. 5. The effects of indomethacin on blood flow can be prevented and those on secretion can be even reversed by an additional infusion of PGE1 (0.5 microgram ml-1). 6. PGs appear to play a physiological role in the regulation of intestinal blood flow and transmucosal water movement, since inhibition of endogenous PG synthesis by indomethacin results in effects opposite to those of intraluminally applied PGE1. The results obtained with the low concentration of PGE1 (0.1 microgram ml-1) and with PGF2alpha (50 microgram ml-1) strongly indicate that intestinal water movement can be changed independently of intestinal blood flow.

In vivo absorption of carbohydrates in rats with gastro-intestinal radiation syndrome

Absorption of glucose and sucrose by intestine from supralethally irradiated rats was investigated using an in vivo preparation. An activation of glucose absorption one day day after exposure is followed by a marked fall in glucose and sucrose absorption on day 3. Experiments under different conditions of loading indicate that at 20 hours active transport of glucose is already impaired although the maximum velocity is increased. After 3 days maximum velocity and active transport decrease markedly. Inverstase activity increases after 20 hours, but this is not accompanied by an increased sucrose absorption. The defect in sucrose absorption 72 hours after irradiation is paralleled by a decrease in invertase activity.

Methylxanthines and intestinal drug absorption

1. Jejunal loops of anaesthetized rats were filled with buffered isotonic solutions of tritiated water (HTO), urea, antipyrine and salicylic acid at pH 6-8. The venous outflow and the appearence rate of the substances in the intestinal venous blood were determined. Blood pressure was kept constant by adjustable supply of blood from donor rats throughout the experiment. 2. The absorption of urea, antipyrine and salicylic acid was, in concentrations from 0.001 to 1.0 mg/ml found to be directly proportional to the intraluminal concentration. 3. Theophylline and caffeine (2 mg/ml), when injected into the lumen, increased the blood flow to 188% and 166% of controls. 4. The theophylline induced increase in blood flow caused an enhancement in the absorption of antipyrine to 153%, HTO and urea to 135% and salicylic acid 123% of controls. 5. Caffeine influenced the absorption of HTO and salicylic acid similar to theophylline.

The effect of saline and hyperoncotic dextran infusion on canine ileal salt and water absorption and regional blood flow

1. The unidirectional Na and H2O fluxes, vascular pressures and total and absorptive site blood flows in the canine ileum were determined before and during I.V. saline infusion and subsequent I.V. infusion of hyperoncotic dextran. The intestinal perfusion solutions were isotonic saline or isotonic saline and mannitol, but the effects of I.V. saline or I.V. hyperoncotic dextran infusion were generally the same for both luminal solutions. 2. Continuous I.V. infusion of saline caused a continuous increase in the unidirectional flux of Na and H2O into the ileal lumen, an increase in total blood flow, and an increase in venous pressure. 3. The net absorption of Na and H2O was decreased by I.V. saline infusion. 4. The unidirectional fluxes of Na and H2O out of the lumen, arterial pressure, and absorptive site blood flow were not affected by I.V. saline infusion. 5. I.V. hyperoncotic dextran infusion reversed most of the effects of saline infusion. 6. The unidirectional fluxes of Na and H2O into the lumen were significantly correlated with Starling forces during I.V. saline infusion. 7. It was concluded that intestinal transport of salt and water was subject to regulation by physical forces at the capillary level.