Segmental heterogeneity of electrogenic secretions in human ascending colon and rectum

We have attempted to ascertain putative segmental differences in the secretory responses of the human ascending colon and rectum.

From the mucosal biopsy samples of two segments, the short-circuit current (I(sc)) and tissue resistance (R(te)) were compared under control conditions, as well as after the induction of secretion, using a modified Ussing chamber. We also performed semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect and quantify transport proteins.

The spontaneous I(sc) in the ascending colon was found to be greater than that in the rectum (P<0.01), whereas isobutylmethylxanthine/forskolin and carbachol (CCh) induced a greater rise in I(sc) in the rectum than in the ascending colon (P<0.05). When coupled with indomethacin pretreatment, the increase in Delta I(sc) after the addition of CCh and forskolin was significant as compared to that observed without pretreatment (P<0.05). However, in the rectum, the secretory response to CCh and forskolin was abolished to a significant degree by indomethacin (P<0.05). Moreover, these indomethacin-induced changes were reversed by the addition of PGE2. Upon semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis, the amounts of cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator, KCNQ1, and CLCA1 mRNAs were not found to be different between the two segments.

There was a clear segmental heterogeneity with regard to electrogenic secretion in the human colon, and this difference can be explained by differences in the ascending colon and rectum.