JEJUNAL CAMP-ACTIVATED SODIUM-SECRETION VIA DECONJUGATED BILE-SALTS AND FATTY-ACIDS

Jejunal cAMP-activated Na secretion associated with in vivo intraluminal bile sats and free fatty acid accumulation in the small bowel was studied. Wistar rats were treated with mecamylamine HCl: this ganglionic blocking agent allows bacterial overgrowth of the small bowel with colonic anaerobes. Controls were given 0.9% NaCl. Half of each group was fed 4% cholestyramine resin: the other half received the same diet without this resin. The contents of the small intestine were assayed for free fatty acids, bile salts and enterotoxin activity. Jejunal Na and 3-O-methyl-D-glucose transport rates were assessed by in vivo perfusions. Jejunal mucosa was studied for ATPases and cAMP. During small bowel overgrowth with colonic bacteria following mecamylamine treatment in rats, there evidently is a cAMP-mediated Na secretion associated with increased luminal free fatty acids and deconjugated bile salts.