Ion transport in rabbit caecum at 12 and 36 months of age

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aging on sodium and chloride ions transport in the isolated rabbit caecum. The experiment consisted in measuring PD- transepithelial electrical potential difference mV SM-mechanical stimulation and mechano-sensitivity (dPD) in collected from 12- and 36-month-old rabbits. A modified Ussing system was used for the experiment. Under the incubation in Ringer solution the values of PD and dPD of young rabbit caecum were, respectively, -3.0 +/-0.4 mV and -1.2 +/-0.3 mV. In 36-month rabbits, on the other hand, the values of these parameters were lower, PD by about 90% whereas dPD by about 83%. Incubation of young rabbits caecum with the presence of amiloride resulted in a reduction of PD by about 17 % and dPD by about 50%, while it did not influence the electrophysiological parameters of caecum in 36-month rabbits. Incubation with bumetanide on young rabbits caecum resulted in PD dropped by about 70% and dPD by about 83%. In the same incubation conditions as those applied for incubation of 36-month rabbits caecum, the level of PD decreased by about 67% while dPD by about 50%. Incubation of young rabbits caecum at the presence of both transport inhibitors resulted in PD decreased by about 87% and dPD by about 83%, whereas that applied for the old rabbits' caecum reduced PD by about 90%, without influencing dPD. Presented data demonstrate that the process of organism ageing inhibits sodium ion transport as well as reduces caecum epithelium sensitivity to mechanical stimuli. Probably, it is a consequence of a reduced with age release of neurotransmitter from sensory terminals; these neurotransmitters modify transepithelial ion transport.