A method for the bioassay of intestinal secretory activity in the conscious rat: studies with arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2

Eicosanoids and the small intestine

Prostaglandins play an important role in modulation of various physiologic processes in the small intestine. In this review, the involvement of prostaglandins in various small-intestinal functions including small-intestinal secretion, mucosal protection, epithelial and endothelial barrier function, and motility are discussed.

Choice of anesthetic for intestinal absorption and secretion experiments using rats

The net rates of glucose and water absorption from, and secretion of water into, the lumen of the rat small intestine were compared using alpha-chloralose, halothane, pentobarbitone, and urethane as anesthetics. Water and glucose transport were determined by recirculation of perfusion fluid through the lumen of the jejunum. Net fluid secretion was stimulated by intraarterial (i.a.) infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The results show that the anesthetics used exert only minimal influence on the physiological rates of glucose and water absorption and there is no correlation between the small differences in glucose and water absorption among the anesthetics. However, when the fluid secretory mechanism of the mucosa is stimulated with either PGE1 or VIP, pentobarbitone allows the greatest rates of secretion, but halothane prevents secretion. It is suggested that of the anesthetics used, pentobarbitone is the most appropriate for intestinal secretion experiments.