Electrogenic Cl- absorption by Amphiuma small intestine: dependence on serosal Na+ from tracer and Cl- microelectrode studies

Analysis of the sodium recirculation theory of solute-coupled water transport in small intestine

Our previous mathematical model of solute-coupled water transport through the intestinal epithelium is extended for dealing with electrolytes rather than electroneutral solutes. A 3Na+-2K+ pump in the lateral membranes provides the energy-requiring step for driving transjunctional and translateral flows of water across the epithelium with recirculation of the diffusible ions maintained by a 1Na+-1K+-2Cl- cotransporter in the plasma membrane facing the serosal compartment. With intracellular non-diffusible anions and compliant plasma membranes, the model describes the dependence on membrane permeabilities and pump constants of fluxes of water and electrolytes, volumes and ion concentrations of cell and lateral intercellular space (lis), and membrane potentials and conductances. Simulating physiological bioelectrical features together with cellular and paracellular fluxes of the sodium ion, computations predict that the concentration differences between lis and bathing solutions are small for all three ions. Nevertheless, the diffusion fluxes of the ions out of lis significantly exceed their mass transports. It is concluded that isotonic transport requires recirculation of all three ions. The computed sodium recirculation flux that is required for isotonic transport corresponds to that estimated in experiments on toad small intestine. This result is shown to be robust and independent of whether the apical entrance mechanism for the sodium ion is a channel, a SGLT1 transporter driving inward uphill water flux, or an electroneutral Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter.

Glycine transport by intestinal brush border vesicles of the amphibian Discoglossus pictus

1. In order to determine the different components of glycine uptake by the intestine of the frog, Discoglossus pictus, we have used brush border membrane vesicles isolated by a classical precipitation technique. 2. Enzymatic tests showed that a good purification was obtained. The concentration ratio of alkaline phosphatase was 14.8. 3. Glycine entry in vesicles as a function of time, in presence or absence of sodium, indicated an overshoot which decreased when incubation time was prolonged. The overshoot was dependent on the presence of sodium. 4. The nature of the anion associated to sodium had little effect on glycine uptake. Nevertheless, chloride and thiocyanate appeared more efficient than glutarate. 5. The effect of transmembrane potential was studied by using valinomycin associated with a potassium gradient. The addition of this substance stimulated glycine transport by 43%. 6. The transport at different glycine concentrations showed two components: one non-saturable with weak affinity and the other saturable with strong affinity (Kt = 0.338 mM). 7. In conclusion, glycine transport by the brush border of D. pictus intestine presents a saturable component depending on sodium and on transmembrane electrical potential.

Conductive pathways for HCO3- in basolateral membrane of salamander intestinal cells

To understand the route of HCO3- exit across the basolateral membrane of Amphiuma small intestinal cells during active H+ secretion the influence of bath HCO3- on serosal membrane potential (Vs) was measured using conventional microelectrodes. The villus sheet preparation was used, which allowed direct access to the basal membrane for microelectrode impalement. When tissues were incubated in Cl(-)-free (SO2-4 based) medium, Vs averaged -85.8 mV. Elevation of serosal bath [HCO3-] at constant CO2 increased Vs; reduction of the [HCO3-] reduced Vs and increased the fractional resistance of the serosal membrane. When serosal bath HCO3- and CO2 were completely replaced, Vs was -44.8 mV. The serosal membrane was also depolarized on complete replacement of medium HCO3- and CO2 when bath pH was buffered with phosphate. 4,4'-Dinitro-2,2'-stilbene disulfonate (DNDS) and acetazolamide blocked the decline in Vs produced by lowering serosal medium [HCO3-]. Replacement of serosal Na+ reduced Vs 32.7 mV. DNDS blocked this response. It is concluded that a Na+-dependent, stilbene-sensitive HCO3- exit pathway resides in the basolateral membrane of the intestinal cells. Possibly there is also a parallel, conductive pathway for HCO3-.

Basolateral impalement of intestinal villus cells: electrophysiology of Cl- transport

A method of dissecting the serosal muscle layers is described that transforms the villus of isolated Amphiuma small intestine into a flat sheet one cell layer thick, allowing rapid equilibration of the serosal medium with the basolateral membrane of the villus tip cells and direct access of the basal membrane to microelectrodes. The "villus sheet" preparation was used to examine the luminal and basolateral mechanisms of Cl- transport. The serosal membrane potential (Vs), measured with conventional microelectrodes, averaged -79.7 mV in tissues bathed in Cl- -free medium; the mucosal membrane potential (Vm) averaged -80.9 mV. Fractional resistance measured directly was 0.82 and 0.14 for the mucosal and serosal membranes, respectively. Elevation of bath [K] reduced Vm and Vs by 30.3 and 44.5 mV, respectively. Cl- (20 mM) added to the luminal medium reduced Vm by 23.9 mV and stimulated Cl- transport; luminal addition of furosemide then increased Vm by 5.6 mV and reduced Cl- transport. Addition of Cl- (20 mM) to the Cl- -free serosal fluid increased Vs 2.0 +/- 1.9 mV. On reducing the serosal [Cl] 10-fold Vs decreased 2.0 +/- 2.2 mV. These and other results indicate that basolateral Cl- exit is not over a conductive pathway. The villus sheet affords new opportunities for studying enterocyte function in the intact mucosa.

The effect of acetylcholine on chloride transport across the mouse lacrimal gland acinar cell membranes

The mechanisms of Cl- transport and the effects of acetylcholine (ACh) and electrochemical Cl- potential changes across the basolateral plasma membrane on intracellular Cl- activity in the acinar cells of isolated mouse lacrimal glands were studied using double-barreled Cl- -selective microelectrodes. In the resting state, the basolateral membrane potential (Vm) was about -40 mV and intracellular Cl- activity was about 35 mmol/l. Addition of ACh (10(-9) approximately 10(-6) mol/l) hyperpolarized Vm and decreased the Cl- activity in a dose-dependent manner. ACh (10(-6) mol/l) hyperpolarized Vm by 20 mV and decreased the cytosolic Cl- activity with an initial rate of 16.0 mmol/l X min. Reduction of the perfusate Cl- concentration to 1/9 control depolarized Vm and decreased cytosolic Cl- activity at a rate of 1.9 mmol/l X min. A Vm hyperpolarization of 20 mV produced by DC injection to the adjacent cell decreased Cl- activity at a rate of 4.6 mmol/l X min. DIDS (1 mmol/l) hyperpolarized Vm by 8 mV with little change in Cl- activity and increased the input resistance of the cells by 25%. DIDS decreased the rate of change in Cl- activity induced by low-Cl- Ringer to 35% of control, but had no effect on the ACh-evoked decrease in the Cl- activity. Furosemide (1 mmol/l) slightly hyperpolarized Vm and decreased Cl- activity at a slow rate but affected Cl- movements induced by ACh or low-Cl- Ringer only slightly. Cl- uptake into the cells was inhibited partially by furosemide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Na microelectrode study of pathways of Na entry into Amphiuma intestinal absorptive cells

To define the pathways of Na+ entry into intestinal villus cells, intracellular Na+ activity (aiNa) was measured in Amphiuma duodenum using conventional and Na-sensitive microelectrodes. Replacement of Na+ in the luminal medium reduced aiNa rapidly; replacement of Na+ in the serosal medium caused a slow decline of aiNa. Hence, mucosal and serosal membranes are both permeable to Na+. Ouabain addition to the serosal medium caused aiNa to increase over 4 h. When Na+ was present only in the mucosal medium and Na+ transport was inhibited with ouabain, aiNa increased over 4 h. With galactose or valine (20 mM) in the mucosal medium aiNa was greater at 2 h relative to paired control tissues. The gain in aiNa was unaffected by replacement of luminal medium Cl- with gluconate or exposure to 1 mM furosemide or amiloride. Amiloride, at 1 mM, was detected by the Na-sensitive neutral carrier. Over a wide range of Na+ concentrations in the luminal medium the rate of Na+ entry across the mucosal membrane correlated strongly (r = 0.95) with the electrochemical gradient for Na+ across the luminal membrane. It is concluded that aiNa of urodele intestinal cells is maintained at a low level by the operation of a Na+-K+ pump. Na+ entry across the luminal membrane occurs by diffusion and by the cotransport with sugars and amino acids. Luminal NaCl cotransport and Na+-H+ exchange do not appear to contribute to Na entry to a measurable extent but it is possible that these transport processes operate at a slow rate, but were inhibited secondary to inhibition of the Na-K pump.

Modes of Cl- transport across the mucosal and serosal membranes of urodele intestinal cells

The characteristics of Cl- movement across luminal and basolateral membranes of Amphiuma intestinal absorptive cells were studied using Cl(-)-sensitive microelectrodes and tracer 36Cl techniques. Intracellular Cl- activity (aiCl) was unchanged when serosal Cl- was replaced; when luminal Cl- was replaced cell Cl- was rapidly lost. Accordingly, the steady state aiCl could be varied by changing the luminal [Cl]. As luminal [Cl] was raised from 1 to 86 mM, aiCl rose in a linear manner, the mucosal membrane hyperpolarized, and the transepithelial voltage became serosa negative. In contrast, the rate of Cl- transport from the cell into the serosal medium, measured as the SITS-inhibitable portion of the Cl- absorptive flux, attained a maximum when aiCl reached an apparent value of 17 mM, indicating the presence of a saturable, serosal transport step. The stilbene-insensitive absorptive flux was linear with luminal [Cl], suggestive of a paracellular route of movement. Intracellular aCl was near electrochemical equilibrium at all but the lowest values of luminal [Cl] after interference produced by other anions was taken into account. aiCl was unaffected by Na replacement, removal of medium K, or elevation of medium HCO-3. Mucosae labeled with 36Cl lost isotope into both luminal and serosal media at the same rate and from compartments of equal capacity. Lowering luminal [Cl] or addition of theophylline enhanced luminal Cl- efflux. It is concluded that a conductive Cl leak pathway is present in the luminal membrane. Serosal transfer is by a saturable, stilbene-inhibitable pathway. Luminal Cl- entry appears to be passive, but an electrogenic uptake cannot be discounted.