Functional role of carbonic anhydrase in intestinal electrolyte transport

We examined the role of carbonic anhydrase activity in intestinal transport by measuring the effect of systemic pH and PCO2 on electrolyte transport in the presence and absence of luminal acetazolamide. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized, and ileal and colonic segments were perfused with Ringer solution that was acetazolamide-free or that contained 0.1 mM sodium acetazolamide. Consecutive states of acute respiratory alkalosis and acidosis were created by changing the inspired CO2 from 0% (room air) to 8% CO2. In the ileum, acetazolamide perfusion did not affect the increment in net sodium and chloride absorption caused by a reduction in systemic pH. Mucosal carbonic anhydrase activity in this segment was measurable, although very low. In both the ascending and descending colon, acetazolamide perfusion reduced the increment in net sodium absorption caused by an increase in systemic PCO2. In addition, acetazolamide increased the chloride absorptive response to PCO2 in the ascending colon but did not affect the chloride response at all in the descending colon. Colonic mucosal carbonic anhydrase exhibited a proximal-to-distal gradient of activity: levels in the ascending colon were severalfold greater than in the descending colon. These findings suggest a functional role for carbonic anhydrase in mediating the colonic but not the ileal absorptive response to changes in systemic acid-base balance.