Effect of neuropeptide Y on jejunal water and ion transport in humans

Neuropeptide Y is a neurotransmitter in enteric and postganglionic sympathetic neurons. In animal models of intestinal water and ion transport, neuropeptide Y decreases stimulated secretion but has no consistent effect on basal transport. In the present study, the effect of neuropeptide Y on jejunal water and electrolyte transport in healthy volunteers was investigated under basal conditions and during intestinal secretion induced by intraluminal administration of prostaglandin E2. The triple-lumen tube technique was used for perfusion of the small intestine with a plasmalike electrolyte solution containing polyethylene glycol as a nonabsorbable volume marker. After an initial control period (saline IV) neuropeptide Y was administered IV at a dose of 400 pmol.kg-1.h-1. Neuropeptide Y significantly increased net absorption of water, sodium, potassium, and chloride under basal conditions. The peptide significantly reduced the secretion of these electrolytes induced by an intraluminal prostaglandin E2 concentration of 5 mumol/L and reduced net water secretion by 36%. The results of the current study suggest that neuropeptide Y can change intestinal water and ion transport from secretion toward absorption.