Low-dose PGE2mimics the duodenal secretory response to luminal acid in mice

Abstract
Luminal exposure to concentrated acid, the most accepted physiological stimulus for duodenal bicarbonate secretion (DBS), cannot be used with in vitro preparations due to potential tissue damage. We thus examined whether exposure to PGE2, a well-characterized physiological duodenal secretagogue, could mimic the effects of acid perfusion. DBS was measured in C57/BL mice by pH-stat/back-titration and measurement of total dissolved CO2concentration ([CO2]t). Anion transport inhibitor DIDS, anion channel inhibitor 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB), carbonic anhydrase inhibitor methazolamide, and nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin were used to inhibit separate components of HCO3secretory pathway. Baseline DBS was not altered by exposure to methazolamide (0.1 mM) but was slightly reduced by DIDS (0.5 mM). DBS and [CO2]tincreased after acid and PGE2exposure. DIDS (0.5 mM) and NPPB (0.2 mM) abolished acid-induced DBS increase. Methazolamide (0.1 mM) and DIDS inhibited acid-induced [CO2]tincrease. DIDS, NPPB, or methazolamide had little effect on DBS in response to high concentration PGE2(100 μg/ml). Low concentration PGE2(1 μg/ml) increased DBS that was inhibited by DIDS, NPPB, and methazolamide. Pretreatment with indomethacin (5 mg/kg) inhibited DBS induced by acid exposure but not by PGE2. High-dose PGE2substantially increases DBS by a mechanism that appears to be different than secretory response to luminal acid perfusion. Secretory response to low-dose PGE2, at least in terms of inhibitor profile, closely resembles secretion in response to perfusion of physiological acid concentrations and may be a useful stimulus for in vitro study of DBS in isolated mouse duodenum.