Effect of veratrine and 50 mM K on ileal transport and electrically induced secretion

To obtain additional evidence that the Cl secretion caused by electrical field stimulation (EFS) in rabbit ileum in vitro is mediated by nerves or amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation (APUD) cells, we determined whether the response could be prevented by agents that depolarize nerves, veratrine or 50 mM K. EFS 1) increased transmural electrical potential difference (PD) and the short-circuit current (Isc) and reduced total ion conductivity (G), 2) caused Cl secretion by reducing the mucosal-to-serosal flow of chloride (JClm leads to s) alone or in combination with an increase in the serosal-to-mucosal flux of chloride (JCls leads to m), and 3) reduced Na absorption or caused secretion by increasing JCls leads to m alone or in association with a reduction in JNam leads to s. At 10(-5) g/ml, veratrine prevented the changes in ionic fluxes caused by EFS and reduced the PD and Isc. It did not reduce the Isc response to 5 mM aminophylline, however. Fifty millimolar K decreased PD and Isc and increased G. JNam leads to s and JNas leads to m diminished in proportion to the reduction in bath Na concentration, so the net flux of sodium (JNanet) was not affected. JClnet did not change, although both JClm leads to s and JCls leads to m increased. Fifty millimolar K prevented the changes in ionic fluxes caused by EFS and reduced the Isc response to aminophylline by half. The study provides additional evidence that the effects of EFS are mediated by nerves or electrically excitable APUD cells, but the contribution of each is uncertain.