Ontogeny of prostaglandin E1 receptor binding in rat small intestine

While prostaglandins of the E series are known to affect several small intestinal functions, their cellular mechanisms are poorly understood. The purposes of this study were to determine if there are developmental differences in the binding of PGE1, to the small intestinal enterocyte and if this binding may be affected by glucocorticoids, which are known to accelerate maturation of the small intestine. Small intestinal binding of prostaglandin E1 was significantly higher in adult rats when compared to postweaned (25-day-old) and preweaned (15- to 17-day-old) rats. Hydrocortisone administration for two days had no effect on the binding of prostaglandin E1 in either preweaned of adult rats. We conclude that a developmental change occurs in prostaglandin E1 binding to the plasma membrane of the rat small intestinal enterocyte during maturation. This binding is not affected by the administration of hydrocortisone.