Abstract
The intestinal mucosa is covered by a mucus gel layer that has the important functions of lubrication and protection. Physiologically, HCO3− and mucus appear concurrently to protect the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract as well as in other tissues. The present study investigates the effect of bicarbonate on secretagogue induced mucus release in mouse small intestine. Segments of small intestines of CL57BL/6 wild‐type mice were continously perfused (bath) with phosphate‐containing Ringer's solution (control) or bicarbonate‐containing Ringer's solution (experimental). Serial samples of luminal perfusates were collected and assayed for mucus content using a lectin‐HRP‐DAB reaction (dot Blot). Basal rates of mucus release in the experimental and control groups were not statistically significant. However, upon stimulation with serotonin (10 μM) and PGE2 (1 μM), the average rate of mucus release into the perfusate over 9 mins in the presence of HCO3− was 1.63 and 1.92 time higher than in the absence of HCO3−, respectively. Serotonin induced mucus release even after PGE2 stimulation indicating that different cells and/or signaling pathways for serotonin and PGE2 may be involved. These results suggest that HCO3− may be play an important role in the expansion, solubilization, and transportability of mucins, in general.
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