Alpha 2-adrenergic receptor-mediated regulation of intestinal calcium transport

The role of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in the regulation of intestinal Ca2+ transport was studied in vitro in rabbit proximal colon and distal ileum. Unidirectional mucosal-to-serosal and serosal-to-mucosal fluxes (Jm----s and Js----m) of 45Ca2+ were measured across isolated mucosal sheets bathed on both sides with identical Ringer solutions (1.25 mM Ca2+) and short-circuited. In the proximal colon, mucosal-to-epithelial influx (Jm----e) of Ca2+ was also determined. Proximal colonic mucosa secreted Ca2+ (in nmol X h-1 X cm-2, Jm----s = 12.1 and Js----m = 42.2). Epinephrine (10 microM) abolished Ca2+ secretion (Jm----s = 24.1 and Js----m = 24.9) but did not affect Jm----e (21.4 in controls and 23.6 after epinephrine). These effects were mediated by alpha 2-adrenergic receptors: yohimbine abolished the effect of epinephrine, but prazosin and propranolol did not; furthermore, clonidine mimicked the effects of epinephrine, whereas methoxamine and isoproterenol had no effect. Ileal mucosa did not transport Ca2+ spontaneously; epinephrine (10 microM) increased Jm----s in the ileum without affecting Js----m, thereby stimulating net Ca2+ absorption. The mechanism for these alpha 2-receptor-mediated effects was examined in proximal colon. The effect of epinephrine on Jm----s was dependent on serosal Na+ but was unaffected by ouabain or the Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibitor, benzamil. The effect of epinephrine on Js----m was dependent on serosal Na+ and was blocked by both ouabain and benzamil. In the absence of epinephrine benzamil did not alter Jm----s or Js----m.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)