Delayed measurement of bicarbonate secretion in vitro

Utility of endoscopic biopsy samples to quantitate human duodenal ion transport

Duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion (DMBS) prevents acid-peptic damage and facilitates nutrient absorption. DMBS is diminished in patients with duodenal ulcers and is normalized after Helicobacter pylori eradication. The measurement of DMBS in human patients in vivo requires intubation with a multi-lumen balloon tube and permits limited testing with putative agonists and antagonists. Our purpose was to develop a means to investigate transport events in human duodenal biopsy samples in vitro. After validation studies in a modified mini-Ussing chamber were performed, duodenal transport events were examined in proximal endoscopic biopsy samples from normal volunteers (n = 17). Tissues were mounted in modified mini-Ussing chambers (volume 2.5 ml, surface area 3.8 mm2). Short circuit current (Isc), potential difference (PD), and bicarbonate secretion were determined under basal conditions and after stimulation with graded doses of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)(10(-8) to 10(-4) mol/L) and dibutyryl cAMP (db-cAMP)(10(-4) to 10(-2) mol/L). Duodenal tissues remained viable for at least 2 hours and exhibited stable basal HCO3(-) secretion and electrical parameters. Stimulation with PGE2 and db-cAMP resulted in dose-related increases in both Isc and HCO3(-) secretion (P < .05) that were abolished by ouabain and anoxia. It is concluded (1) that human duodenal bulb biopsy samples maintain their inherent transport function in mini-Ussing chambers and (2) that by using this novel method it will be possible to define the transport events that modulate human duodenal secretion, in particular bicarbonate secretion, in both health and disease.

Inhibition of rabbit duodenal bicarbonate secretion by ulcerogenic agents: histamine-dependent and -independent effects

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The gastroduodenal epithelium is protected from acid-peptic damage, in part, by its ability to secrete bicarbonate. Patients with duodenal ulcer disease have impaired proximal duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion. We have shown in vitro that histamine inhibits prostaglandin-stimulated bicarbonate secretion in rabbit duodenal mucosa via histamine H2 receptors and enteric nerves. In this study we examined whether the proulcerogenic compounds aspirin or ethanol regulate duodenal bicarbonate secretion and the involvement of histamine.

METHODS

Bicarbonate secretion by rabbit proximal duodenal mucosa was examined in vitro in Ussing chambers.

RESULTS

Aspirin and ethanol decreased basal and prostaglandin-stimulated bicarbonate secretion; the latter effect was specific for prostaglandin. The inhibitory effects of the two ulcerogenic compounds were at least additive. Ranitidine and tetrodotoxin abolished the inhibitory effects on stimulated, but not basal, secretion. Aspirin and ethanol also induced release of duodenal histamine.

CONCLUSIONS

Aspirin and ethanol act by two distinct pathways to impair duodenal bicarbonate secretion. Both agents inhibit basal secretion via a histamine-independent and neurally independent pathway while they inhibit prostaglandin E2-stimulated secretion via histamine release, likely from mast cells, and actions on enteric nerves. Our findings may be of relevance to the understanding and potential treatment of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated mucosal injury.

Bicarbonate transport by rabbit duodenum in vitro: effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, prostaglandin E2, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate

BACKGROUND

Duodenal surface cells secrete bicarbonate that provides a barrier against injury. The current experiments were performed to identify duodenal bicarbonate regulatory and transport pathways.

METHODS

Rabbit proximal duodenal mucosa were mounted in chambers under short-circuited conditions. Bicarbonate transport, short-circuit current (Isc), and potential difference (PD) were quantitated in response to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (db-cAMP). Anoxia (N2), 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and Cl(-)-free solutions, ouabain, and Na-free solutions were also studied, as was the effect of VIP and PGE2 on duodenocyte cAMP.

RESULTS

PGE2, VIP, db-cAMP, and theophylline significantly increased bicarbonate secretion, Isc, and PD. Ouabain, Na(+)-free bathing solutions, and anoxia (N2) inhibited the responses. DIDS and Cl(-)-free solutions abolished the PGE2-induced response, reduced the response to VIP by about 50%, and had no effect on the response to db-cAMP. After PGE2 and VIP, cAMP concentration increased, yet was likely independent of bicarbonate secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Mammalian duodenal HCO3- transport requires Na+, Na+/K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase and O2-dependent metabolic pathways and is stimulated by PGE2, VIP, and cAMP, acting by distinct pathways.