Ionizing radiation stimulates muscarinic regulation of rat intestinal mucosal function

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Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether ionizing radiation modifies muscarinic regulation of intestinal mucosal function. Rats exposed to total body 8-Gy γ-irradiation or sham irradiated were studied up to 21 days after irradiation. Basal and carbachol-stimulated short-circuit current ( I sc) and transepithelial conductance ( G t) of stripped ileum were determined in Ussing chambers. Muscarinic receptor characteristics using the muscarinic antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate and three unlabeled antagonists were measured in small intestinal plasma membranes together with two marker enzyme activities (sucrase, Na+-K+-ATPase). Enzyme activities were decreased 4 days after irradiation ( day 4). Basal electrical parameters were unchanged. Maximal carbachol-induced changes in I sc and G t were increased at day 4 (maximal Δ I sc = 195.8 ± 14.7 μA/cm2, n = 19, vs. 115.4 ± 8.2 μA/cm2, n = 63, for control rats) and unchanged at day 7. Dissociation constant was decreased at day 4 (0.73 ± 0.29 nM, n = 10, vs. 2.14 ± 0.39 nM, n = 13, for control rats) but unchanged at day 7, without change in binding site number. Thus total body irradiation induces a temporary stimulation of cholinergic regulation of mucosal intestinal function that may result in radiation-induced diarrhea.

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