Ulcerative colitis patients in remission have an altered secretory capacity in the proximal colon despite macroscopically normal mucosa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

One of the hallmarks of acute colitis is loss of epithelial transport. For unknown reasons, many patients still suffer from GI symptoms during remission, indicating a sustained imbalance between absorption and secretion. We hypothesize that the colonic epithelium becomes more reactive to secretagogues to compensate for a failing barrier.

Methods

Biopsies from ascending colon and sigmoid colon of UC patients in remission and controls were mounted in Ussing chambers. Membrane current (Im) and epithelial capacitance (Cp) were used as markers for anion secretion and mucus exocytosis. Carbachol (1 mmol L(-1) ) and forskolin (10 μmol L(-1) ) were used to study Ca(2+) and cAMP-mediated secretion.

Key results

Baseline values showed segmental patterns with higher Im

SUBMITTER: Gustafsson JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4871264 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature