Influence on intestinal secretion of eicosanoids

Eicosanoids have been shown to be important modulators of intestinal secretion. In cholera, cAMP is often regarded as the sole mediator, but recent data suggest that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and prostaglandin (PG) E2 also play important roles. Thus cholera toxin (CT) increases their release from the rat jejunum in vivo, and human cholera is associated with an increased luminal 'overflow' of PGE2. In vitro evidence of secretion can be obtained with PG concentrations 100- to 1000-fold lower than those required for activation of the adenylate cyclase. Furthermore, 5-HT induces secretion associated with increased 'overflow' of PGE2, but without a change in mucosal cAMP. CT-induced release of PGE2 and fluid secretion can be decreased by indomethacin or by the 5-HT2-receptor antagonist, ketanserin, whereas the release of 5-HT and cAMP is not affected by either substance. Secretion caused by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is associated with increased mucosal cAMP levels, without a change in PGE2 release, and is unaffected by indomethacin and ketanserin. These results suggest that CT stimulates the release of 5-HT, which in turn causes the release of PGE2. The latter substances probably act via a local intramural reflex and contribute to secretion by mechanisms that are independent of cAMP.