Anion effects on fluid absorption from rat jejunum perfused in vivo

Perfusion of rat jejunal segments in vivo with an isotonic, HCO3-free SO4-Ringer solution resulted in low rates of net sodium (JNanet) and water absorption. When the perfusion fluid was changed to one containing 25 mM Na2SO3, JNanet increased from 4.7 +/- 1.2 to 11.6 +/- 1.5 (SE) mumol X cm-1 X h-1 (P less than 0.001). This increased absorption was accompanied by comparable increases in chloride and water absorption, occurred without a detectable change in potential difference across the perfused segment, and was readily reversed on reinstitution of perfusion with SO4-Ringer. Perfusion with SO3-Ringer had no effect on electrolyte absorption from terminal segments of rat ileum. Addition of L-phenylalanine stimulated absorption from SO4-Ringer perfusate but not from SO3-Ringer perfusate. Addition of 25 mM NaHCO3 to SO4-Ringer perfusate caused parallel increases in JNanet and JHCO3net; when 25 mM NaHCO3 was added to SO4-Ringer perfusate that also contained 25 mM NaSCN, the same increase in JHCO3net occurred but was not associated with any increase in JNanet. These results indicate a potent effect of SO2-3 and HCO-3 to stimulate JNanet from rat jejunum but not from ileum. These anion effects on intestinal transport in vivo resemble their effects on ATPase activity of brush-border fractions from small intestine in vitro and raise the possibility that these effects on ion transport could be mediated through the changes in brush-border ATPase activity, which are brought about by exposure to these anions, although other explanations are also possible.