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Abnormal jejunal potential difference in cystic fibrosis
P S Baxter1, A J Wilson, N W Read
1Department of Paediatrics, Medical Physics, University of Sheffield.
Insights
Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) lack wave-like changes in jejunal potential difference (PD) during contractions, unlike healthy controls. This suggests CF alters jejunal electrical activity and drug responses.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs, including the gastrointestinal tract.
- Altered gastrointestinal motility and electrical activity are observed in CF patients.
- Potential difference (PD) measurements offer insights into intestinal epithelial function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in jejunal transmucosal potential difference (PD) and intraluminal pressure between healthy controls and cystic fibrosis patients.
- To assess the impact of CF on the relationship between jejunal contractions and PD.
- To evaluate the response of jejunal PD to pharmacological agents in CF.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous recording of transmucosal potential difference (PD) and intraluminal pressure from the jejunum.
- Inclusion of 15 healthy adult controls and 4 adult cystic fibrosis patients.
- Administration of intraluminal pilocarpine and prostaglandin E2 to assess PD changes.
Main Results:
- Healthy controls exhibited wave-like PD changes correlated with contractions, particularly during phase III-like activity (-9.7 mV peak amplitude).
- Jejunal PD wave-like changes were absent in cystic fibrosis patients, despite similar motor patterns.
- Pilocarpine and prostaglandin E2 induced significant PD changes in controls, but not in CF patients.
- No significant differences in basal PD or responses to saline/glucose infusions were found between groups.
Conclusions:
- Cystic fibrosis is associated with a distinct absence of jejunal PD wave-like activity during contractions.
- Pharmacological stimulation of PD is impaired in the jejunum of cystic fibrosis patients.
- These findings highlight potential electrical dysfunction in the jejunum of individuals with CF, independent of basic motor patterns.
Abstract:
Transmucosal potential difference (PD) and intraluminal pressure were recorded from the same jejunal site in 15 healthy adult controls and 4 adults with cystic fibrosis. In the controls, runs of contractions were associated with wave-like changes in PD with, during phase III-like activity, a mean peak amplitude of -9.7 mV. Although there were no obvious differences in motor patterns, wave-like changes in PD were absent in patients with cystic fibrosis. Intraluminal boluses of 4 mg pilocarpine, or 0.1 mg prostaglandin E2, caused changes of -4.6 mV and -4.5 mV, respectively, in controls; these responses were not seen in patients with cystic fibrosis. There were no significant differences in basal PD and PD changes caused by altered concentrations of infused saline or glucose between patients and controls.