Abstract
Massive secretion of fluid and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen is observed in cholera but, in normal intestine, more than 50 per cent of Na transepithelial flux involves an extracellular route. This study was, therefore, undertaken to determine the role of the epithelial cells in the Na secretion observed in cholera. From measurements of flux as a function of electrical potential, the transcellular Na fluxes (Jc) were estimated, in vitro, on ileum treated with cholera toxin (CT) for 60 minutes and compared with Jc from unchallenged control (C) intestine from the same rabbit. In absence of electrochemical potential, in Ringer's solution, CT caused a net Na secretion (−1.35 ± 0.21 μeq/hr cm2), without statistical change in short circuit current. The net secretion appears to be due to a decrease of transcellular Na flux from mucosa to serosa (Jcms) (−0.94 ± 0.35 μeq/hr cm2) and an increase of flux from serosa to mucosa (Jcsm) (+0.75 ± 0.64 μeq/hr cm2). The Na addition of lOmM glucose caused an increase (p<0.01) of Jnet, Isc and Jems almost identical in C and CT intestine. However, Jcsm did not change significantly with glucose. These results indicate that CT caused an active cellular Na secretion which is most easily explained by posttulating that CT stimulates an electrically neutral (Na+Anion) transport process from serosa to mucosa but does not change the “electrogenic” Na absorption.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Desjeux, JF., Tai, Y., Curran, P. et al. EFFECT OF CHOLERA TOXIN IN Na TRANSPORT IN INTESTINE. Pediatr Res 8, 380 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00239
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00239