Chloride transport and intracellular chloride activity in the presence of theophylline in Amphiuma small intestine

Regional variations in electrical and ion transport properties along the isolated intestine of the frog Rana esculenta

Anterior, posterior and colon regions of isolated intestines of the frog Rana esculenta were studied in Ussing chambers under short-circuit conditions. Each region presented a serosa-positive potential which decreased upon longer incubation with no significant change in resistance. The colon displayed higher transepithelial potential (initial mean: 11.4 mV) and resistance (165.cm 2) than the proximal parts (initial mean: ca. 2 mV and 120-80 .cm 2). Bilateral substitution of Na+ by NMDG (N-methyl-D-glutamine) or of Cl- by gluconate induced large and sustained decreases in potential and current, which were reversed in the anterior and posterior intestine and abolished in colon, indicating strict dependence upon the presence of both Na+ and Cl-. The mucosal membranes showed the presence of amiloride-sensitive Na+ sites (with drug efficiency higher in colon). Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransport (current decreased by about 50% by bumetanide in anterior and posterior regions only), Cl- permeability or channels inhibited by diphenylamine-2-carboxylate, DPC (similar decreases as by bumetanide). In either chamber 5 mM BaCl2 induced 20-42% inhibition of current, indicating the occurrence of barium-sensitive K+ channels in both apical and basolateral membranes (more markedly on serosal side) in all three intestinal regions. Finally, current increase by IBMX and theophylline designate the colon as a target for adenylate cyclase stimulating hormones.

Adenylate cyclase modulation of ion permeability in the guinea pig cochlea: a possible mechanism for the formation of endolymphatic hydrops

The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to endolymphatic hydrops in Meniere's disease are unknown. Changes in ionic permeability of the cellular membranes between the endolymph and the perilymph, which alter the composition and osmolarity of the inner ear fluid, may be a major factor in the etiology of endolymphatic hydrops. To determine the possible involvement of adenylate cyclase in the formation of endolymphatic hydrops, we measured the endolymphatic K+, Na+, Cl- activities (AK, ANa, ACl) and the endocochlear potential (EP) by means of ion-selective microelectrodes while inner ear adenylate cyclase was activated by perilymphatic perfusion with forskolin. We observed a large ACl increase accompanied by an EP increase during forskolin (2 x 10(-4) M) perfusion and a delayed AK decrease after perfusion. No measurable ANa change was observed. These results suggest that adenylate cyclase may regulate Cl- permeability of the endolymph-perilymph barrier and that adenylate cyclase plays a critical role in acute endolymphatic hydrops in Meniere's disease by altering the osmolarity of the endolymph.

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.

Effects of forskolin and 1,9-dideoxy-forskolin on cochlear potentials

Endocochlear potential (EP) and cochlear microphonics (CM) were recorded during the perilymphatic perfusion with forskolin known as an adenylate cyclase stimulant. Forskolin produced a reversible EP elevation in a dose-dependent manner. Perfusion with 1,9-dideoxy-forskolin, an analogue of forskolin that does not stimulate adenylate cyclase, had no effect on EP, whereas perfusions with other agents that raise the cAMP-level (IBMX, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and dbcAMP) duplicated the effect of forskolin. The vigorous CM during the EP elevation and the large negative EP induced by anoxia superimposed on the elevated EP indicate that the K+ diffusion potential through the hair cell membrane cannot be altered by forskolin. The results suggest that the adenylate cyclase system in the stria vascularis and/or Reissner's membrane may modulate the generation of EP.

Regulation of intracellular chloride in bullfrog choroid plexus

Intracellular Cl- activity (AiCl) of the bullfrog choroidal epithelium has been studied using double-barreled Cl(-)-selective microelectrodes. In bicarbonate-buffered saline, the brush-border membrane potential (VVC) was -43 mV, and AiCl was 24 mM which was twice the predicted equilibrium activity. The uphill Cl- accumulation required the presence of external Na+ and was inhibited by furosemide added to the basolateral side. Removal of HCO3- from the bath solution slightly increased AiCl. On addition of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), VVC depolarized, and AiCl approached the equilibrium activity. It is concluded that net Cl- secretion by the choroidal epithelium is mediated by a furosemide-sensitive, Na+-coupled Cl- uptake mechanism at the basolateral border and a Cl- conductive pathway at the brush border membrane. The results suggest that intracellular cAMP either increases the Cl- conductance of the epithelial membranes and/or inhibits the NaCl co-transport mechanism.

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.

Regulation of bicarbonate transport across the brush border membrane of the bull-frog choroid plexus

Our previous study of the choroid plexus showed that elevation of cellular cyclic AMP stimulated HCO3 secretion into the cerebrospinal fluid (c.s.f.). To explore the mechanism of this stimulation, we have used micro-electrodes to observe the effect of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on membrane potentials, resistances and electromotive forces (e.m.f.) in the bull-frog plexus. The potential profile under control conditions was -45 mV across the apical membrane (Vvc) and -9 mV across the epithelium (Vvs) with respect to the c.s.f. Two-dimensional cable analysis indicated that 70% of adjacent epithelial cells were electrically uncoupled, and that the coupling coefficient for the remaining cells was only 0.12. The results of circuit analysis gave values for membrane resistance and e.m.f. across the apical membrane of 200 omega cm2 and -135 mV, across the basolateral membrane of 386 omega cm2 and -138 mV, and across the paracellular shunt of 20 omega cm2 (the shunt e.m.f. was assumed to be negligible). Addition of phosphodiesterase inhibitors (10 mM-theophylline or 1 mM-3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) ) depolarized Vvc by 18 mV and Vvs by 2 mV. Circuit analysis showed that the inhibitor reduced the apical membrane resistance by more than 60% and depolarized the apical e.m.f. by 70 mV without affecting the basolateral membrane or the shunt parameters. In Cl-free solutions IBMX depolarized Vvc and decreased the apical membrane resistance similar to that observed in regular buffer solution. However, in HCO3-free buffer solutions, the effects of IBMX on Vvc and membrane resistances were insignificant. In thirty-five cells in sixteen tissues a linear relationship was observed between the magnitude of the spontaneous membrane potential (Vvc) and the magnitude of IBMX-induced depolarization (delta VIBMXvc): delta VIBMXvc = -0.8 Vvc -15 (in mV). This suggests that HCO3 is accumulated within the epithelium above electrochemical equilibrium. We conclude that cyclic AMP increases HCO3 secretion across the choroid plexus by increasing the apical membrane HCO3 conductance.

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

The Na+ requirement for active, electrogenic Cl- absorption by Amphiuma small intestine was studied by tracer techniques and double-barreled Cl- -sensitive microelectrodes. Addition of Cl- to a Cl- -free medium bathing in vitro intestinal segments produced a saturable (Km = 5.4 mM) increase in short-circuit current (ISC) which was inhibitable by 1 mM SITS. The selectivity sequence for the anion-evoked current was Cl- = Br- greater than SCN- greater than NO-3 greater than F- = I-. Current evoked by Cl- reached a maximum with increasing medium Na concentration (KM = 12.4 mM). Addition of Na+, as Na gluconate (10 mM), to mucosal and serosal Na+-free media stimulated the Cl- current and simultaneously increased the absorptive Cl- flux (JCl m----s) and net flux ( JClnet ) without changing the secretory Cl- flux ( JCls ----m). Addition of Na+ only to the serosal fluid stimulated JClm ----s much more than Na+ addition only to the mucosal fluid in paired tissues. Serosal DIDS (1 mM) blocked the stimulation. Serosal 10 mM Tris gluconate or choline gluconate failed to stimulate JClm ----s. Intracellular Cl- activity ( aiCl ) in villus epithelial cells was above electrochemical equilibrium indicating active Cl- uptake. Ouabain (1 mM) eliminated Cl- accumulation and reduced the mucosal membrane potential (psi m) over 2 to 3 hr. In contrast, SITS had no effect on Cl- accumulation and hyperpolarized the mucosal membrane. Replacement of serosal Na+ with choline eliminated Cl- accumulation while replacement of mucosal Na+ had no effect. In conclusion by two independent methods active electrogenic Cl- absorption depends on serosal rather than mucosal Na+. It is concluded that Cl- enters the cell via a primary (rheogenic) transport mechanism. At the serosal membrane the Na+ gradient most likely energizes H+ export and regulates mucosal Cl- accumulation perhaps by influencing cell pH or HCO-3 concentration.

Bicarbonate transport across the frog choroid plexus and its control by cyclic nucleotides

We have studied the effects of ions, hormones, diuretics and cyclic nucleotides on the short-circuit current (Isc) across the frog choroid plexus. In normal HCO3 Ringer solution, the trans-epithelial potential difference (p.d.), Isc and resistance (Rt) were -0.8 mV (ventricular side negative with respect to to the blood (serosal) side), 6 microA/cm2 and 170 omega cm2, respectively. Removal of Na, Cl or HCO3 from the solution decreased the Isc to 1.9, 2.3 or -4.6 microA/cm2, respectively. Theophylline, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, isoproterenol, prostaglandin E1, ACTH, cholera toxin and forskolin all significantly increased the Isc. The theophylline-induced change in Isc (delta Itheosc) was reduced by 50% upon Cl substitution with gluconate, and was abolished to less than 12% by Na-free and HCO3-free solutions. pH monitoring of the bathing solutions showed that acidification of the serosal bathing fluid was enhanced by theophylline while that of the ventricular solution was retarded. Ouabain, acetazolamide, SITS, DIDS and furosemide inhibited both Isc and delta Itheosc. We conclude that HCO3 secretion by the choroid plexus into the c.s.f. is controlled by hormones which stimulate the adenylate cyclase system, and propose a model of ion transport across the choroidal epithelium.

Caffeine-induced potentiation of GABA effects on frog spinal cord: an electrophysiological study

A parasagittal slice of the frog spinal cord was kept in vitro for electrophysiological recordings from dorsal and ventral roots. Low concentrations of caffeine (50 microM) which had relatively small effects on baseline electrical activity, increased the depolarizing action of GABA on dorsal root fibres by 50%. A similar result was also obtained when GABA motoneuronal responses were tested. On dorsal roots the potentiation of GABA responses by caffeine was reflected by a significant decrease in GABA ED50 value without change in the maximal response amplitude; this enhancing action of caffeine was not blocked by bicuculline (5 microM) but was abolished by flurazepam (5 microM) or by Ca2+ antagonists (Mn2+ and Cd2+). Blockade of interneuronal activity by procaine left the potentiating action of caffeine unchanged. High doses of caffeine (up to 1 mM) produced a seemingly non-competitive antagonism of GABA responses. We suggest that caffeine can modulate GABA responses through two different mechanisms: a potentiation of GABA effects (seen with low doses of caffeine) probably due to Ca2+ mobilization and an antagonism of GABA responses (typically seen with large doses of caffeine) perhaps caused by block of GABA receptor-activated channels. This novel caffeine-GABA interaction may be useful to interpret some of the effects of caffeine on mammalian behaviour.

The effect of theophylline on intestinal bicarbonate transport measured by pH stat in Amphiuma

1. The influence of theophylline on the mucosa to serosa and serosa to mucosa fluxes of HCO3- were measured by the pH stat technique in isolated segments of proximal small intestine from Amphiuma maintained under short-circuited conditions. The mucosal or serosal fluid was exposed to media containing 25 mM-HCO3- (pH 7.4) while the pH of unbuffered media in the opposite compartment was maintained by addition of acid. 2. Theophylline significantly increased the secretory flux of HCO3- and significantly reduced the absorptive flux when measured in Cl- -free (SO4(2-)) media. 3. In normal media theophylline did not alter the secretory flux but significantly lowered the absorptive flux of HCO3-. 4. Acetazolamide (0.1 mM) inhibited the theophylline-stimulated secretory flux of HCO3- and reduced the effect of theophylline on the absorptive flux. 5. In normal intestine there was an inequality between the secretory or absorptive HCO3- flux and the short-circuit current (Isc) consistent with the presence of Cl- absorption. After addition of theophylline the Isc was more nearly equal to the net secretory or absorptive HCO3- flux. 6. Exogenous cyclic AMP had effects identical with theophylline. 7. The results provide strong evidence that elevation of cyclic AMP stimulates net HCO3- secretion in urodele small intestine and provide indirect evidence that Cl- absorption is simultaneously reduced.