Extrinsic denervation causes a transient proabsorptive adrenergic hypersensitivity in the canine proximal colon

Our aim was to determine if extrinsic denervation alters the absorptive response of the colon to proabsorptive and prosecretory stimuli. Ten dogs underwent enteric isolation of a 50-cm proximal colonic segment; five were also randomized to undergo extrinsic denervation (DEN). At 2 and 13 wk postoperatively, net absorptive fluxes (mean +/- SEM) of water and electrolytes were determined during basal conditions and during proabsorptive low-dose (0.3 microg/kg/min) or high-dose (3 microg/kg/min) norepinephrine or prosecretory VIP (500 pg/kg/min). The net absorptive flux of water under basal conditions was decreased in DEN versus neurally intact controls at two weeks (4.0 +/- 0.6 vs 6.6 +/- 0.7 microl/min/cm, P = 0.03) but did not differ at 13 weeks (5.0 +/- 1.0 vs 5.7 +/- 0.9, P > 0.05). Low- and high-dose norepinephrine increased water absorption in both groups at two weeks; the change in flux for high-dose norepinephrine was greater in DEN versus controls (4.1 +/- 1 vs 2.1 +/- 0.6 microl/min/cm, P = 0.04). Net absorptive fluxes of Na+ and Cl- followed these trends. VIP did not alter absorption of water or electrolytes. Extrinsic denervation of the proximal colon causes a decrease in net colonic absorption and a transient, proabsorptive adrenergic hypersensitivity in colonic absorption of water and electrolytes. VIP does not have a net secretory effect in the proximal canine colon.