Electrophysiological effects of propionate and bicarbonate on gallbladder epithelium

The effects of propionate and HCO3- on cell membrane potentials in Necturus gallbladder epithelium were investigated using microelectrode techniques in vitro. Bilateral exposure to either propionate or HCO3- (25 mM each) hyperpolarized both cell membranes by about 12 mV. Mucosal addition of either substance produced cyclic changes in voltage of both cell membranes, which attenuated spontaneously, whereas serosal addition caused sustained hyperpolarization. By intraepithelial cable analysis it was shown that both cell membrane conductances rose during the hyperpolarization. Experiments using substitution of mucosal K+ for Na+ revealed that the relative K+ permeability (PK) of the apical membrane was enhanced during the hyperpolarization induced by mucosal (or serosal) propionate (or HCO3-). These effects are mediated by increases in PK at both membranes, with a larger basolateral effect. We suggest that this mechanism accounts for the higher cell membrane potential values measured in epithelia bathed in HCO3--or propionate-containing solutions. Inasmuch as both propionate and HCO3- stimulate fluid absorption in gallbladder epithelium, the increase in cell membrane PK may represent an adaptive response of the cells to regulate their solute content.