Fistula Rats Research Articles

Long-lasting cholecystokinin(2) receptor blockade after a single subcutaneous injection of YF476 or YM022.

Histamine-forming ECL cells in the rat stomach operate under the control of gastrin. They represent a convenient target for studying cholecystokinin-B/gastrin (CCK(2)) receptor antagonists in vivo. We examined the effectiveness and duration of action of two CCK(2) antagonists, YM022 and YF476, with respect to their effect on ECL-cell histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity in the rat. Oral administration of subcutaneous deposition of YF476 or YM022 reduced the HDC activity. The maximum/near-maximum dose for both drugs and for both modes of administration was 300 micromol kg(-1) (effects measured 24 h after dose). At this dose and time the serum concentration of YF476 was 20 - 40 nmol l(-1). The dose 300 micromol kg(-1) was used in all subsequent studies. A single subcutaneous injection of YF476 inhibited the HDC activity for 8 weeks. The circulating concentration of YF476 remained high for the same period of time (>/=15 nmol l(-1)). Subcutaneous YM022 suppressed the HDC activity for 4 weeks. A single oral dose of YF476 or YM022 inhibited the HDC activity for 2 - 3 days. Chronic gastric fistula rats were used to study the effect of subcutaneous YF476 on gastrin-stimulated acid secretion. A single injection of YF476 prevented gastrin from causing an acid response for at least 4 weeks (the longest time studied). We conclude that a single subcutaneous injection of 300 micromol kg(-1) YF476 causes blockade of CCK(2) receptors in the stomach of the rat for 8 weeks thus providing a convenient method for studies of the consequences of long-term CCK(2) receptor inhibition.

Competition in liver transport between chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid as a mechanism for ursodeoxycholic acid and its amidates' protection of liver damage induced by chenodeoxycholic acid.

Ursodeoxycholic acid has been widely used as a therapeutic agent in cholesterol gallstones and liver disease patients, but its mechanism of action is still under investigation. The protective effect of ursodeoxycholic acid, both free, taurine and glycine conjugated, against hepatotoxic bile acids such as chenodeoxycholic acid and its taurine amidate was studied in bile fistula rats and compared with the cholic and taurocholic acid effect. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, glycine ursodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, taurocholic acid and cholic acid were infused iv over 1 hour (8 micromol/min/kg) together with an equimolar dose of either taurochenodeoxycholic acid or chenodeoxycholc acid. Bile flow, total and individual bile acid and biliary lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes were measured. Taurochenodeoxycholic acid and chenodeoxycholc acid caused cholestasis and liver damage associated with a decreased bile flow, total and individual bile acids secretion accompanied by a biliary leakage of lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, glycine ursodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid and taurocholic acid, on the contrary, were choleretic, inducing an opposite effect on biliary parameters. Simultaneous infusion of taurochenodeoxycholic acid and the protective bile acid resulted in a functional and morphological improvement of the above parameters in the following order: glycine ursodeoxycholic acid > tauroursodeoxycholic acid > ursodeoxycholic acid followed by taurocholic acid; cholic acid was ineffective. The results show the protective effect of glycine ursodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid and tauroursodeoxycholic acid. This may be due to a facilitated transport of the toxic bile acid into bile; conjugation with taurine is less effective than glycine. Finally, the better protective effect of ursodeoxycholic acid and its amidates with respect to cholic acid and its taurine conjugated form seems to be related to their different lipophilicity and micellar forming capacity.

Xenogeneic Patch Closure of the Small Intestine: A Novel Approach to Fistula Management

Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing placental-derived collagen tissue matrix (CTM) as a bowel wall substitute. We reasoned that this technique would also be suitable in managing intestinal fistulae. To test this hypothesis, we created a chronic cecal fistula in rats and randomly managed some with primary repair and others with CTM replacement. Leak rates, mortality, bursting pressures and histologic scores were similar, suggesting that a chronic fistula can be successfully managed with either a CTM or primary repair.

Intestinal lymph fistula rat: A model for studying the release of glucagon-like peptide 1

Intestinal lymph fistula rat: A model for studying the release of glucagon-like peptide 1

Ileal lipid infusion stimulates jejunal synthesis of apolipoprotein A-IV without affecting mRNA levels.

We examined the effect of ileal infusions of lipid emulsion on mRNA levels and biosynthesis of apolipoprotein A-IV (apo A-IV) in jejunal Thiry-Vella fistulas in rats. The rats were surgically prepared with jejunal Thiry-Vella fistulas; after recovery they were deprived of food, equipped with ileal infusion cannulas, then given 8 hr ileal infusions of fatty acid/monoglyceride emulsions. Mucosal synthesis and transcript levels of apo A-IV in the Thiry-Vella loop were then measured. Lipid infusion produced a two-fold stimulation in incorporation of 3H-leucine into apo A-IV-specific protein, but had no significant effect on apo A-IV mRNA levels. These results support the hypothesis that a lipid-elicited, distal gut-derived, systemic signal stimulates the production of apo A-IV by a post-transcriptional mechanism.

Basic studies on the utility of ursodeoxycholic acid derivatives for clinical medicine

The aim of this study was to determine whether the derivatives of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) are useful compounds for clinical medicine. 1-1) A conjugate (5-ASA-UDCA monophosphate) of UDCA monophosphate with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) was newly synthesized, and basic studies on this compound were carried out. This compound was efficiently deconjugated by cholylglycine hydrolase (CGH) to release 5-ASA, whereas it was completely resistant to deconjugation by pancreatic and intestinal mucosal enzymes. In animal experiments, the urinary excretion of N-acetyl-5-ASA (Ac-5ASA) was measured for 24 h following the oral administration of 20 mg of 5-ASA-UDCA monophosphate. Control rats excreted 276.3 +/- 89.0 micrograms (mean +/- S.E.) of Ac-5ASA whereas rats with intestinal bacterial overgrowth excreted more (1224.1 +/- 231.5 micrograms; p < 0.01). These basic studies indicate that this compound is likely to offer a simple method for the evaluation of intestinal microorganisms without the use of radioisotopes or expensive, special apparatus. 1-2) The disulphate ester of ursodeoxycholyl-p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA-UDCA) was synthesized and compared with PABA-UDCA for its use in the detection of intestinal bacteria. This compound, PABA-UDCA disulphate, had characters in common with PABA-UDCA in that it was deconjugated by CGH to release free PABA. Further, in rat experiments the urinary excretion of PABA was measured for 6 h after oral administration of 15 mg PABA-UDCA disulphate. Ten control rats excreted 188.2 +/- 13.6 micrograms (mean +/- S.E.) of PABA; 10 rats with an intestinal stagnantloop excreted more (530.1 +/- 30.1 micrograms; p < 0.001): whereas 10 rats in each of three groups pretreated with oral administration of various antibiotics excreted less. PABA-UDCA disulphate is a single pass type substance in the gut and its oral administration test reflects the sum of the activities of bacteria in the small intestine and colon. From the results the obtained PABA-UDCA disulphate was considered a good material to detect intestinal bacteria. 2) A conjugate (Lys-UDCA) of UDCA with L-lysine was newly synthesized. In the incubation experiments with plasma, homogenates of the liver and small intestine, various pancreatic enzymes and CGH, Lys-UDCA was deconjugated by carboxypeptidases B and CGH. In the experiment using rodent everted gut sac, Lys-UDCA was actively absorbed from the terminal ileum. Lys-UDCA was recovered well in the bile after intravenous or intraileal administration of Lys-UDCA in biliary fistula rat. These data suggest that Lys-UDCA is a good prodrug of UDCA for intravenous administration. 3) A novel calcium-chelating agent, N"-ursodeoxycholyl-diethylenetriamine-N,N,N'-triacetic acid (UDCA-DTTA), was synthesized to study its ability to dissolve calcified gallstones. In the presence of the agent, sliced human gallstone with a composition of more than 50% calcium bilirubinate was thoroughly dissolved, indicating that calcium bilirubinate was dissolved from the gallstone. The ability to dissolve calcium was comparable to that of EDTA. However, the laminar structure of the sliced gallstone did not disappear in the presence of EDTA, whereas the structure disappeared in the presence of UDCA-DTTA. These results indicate that UDCA-DTTA is an interesting compound as a parent substance for developing a prodrug for an oral or intravenous agent to dissolve calcium-containing gallstones.

PACAP type I receptor activation regulates ECL cells and gastric acid secretion.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is present in gastric nerves, and PACAP receptors (PAC1) are found on gastric enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. Expression of PAC1 splice variants in purified ECL cells was determined by RT-PCR. PACAP effects on ECL cells were analyzed by video imaging of [Ca(2+)](i) and histamine release; its effects on gastric glands were examined by confocal microscopy of [Ca(2+)](i) in ECL and parietal cells. PACAP action on D cells was measured by [Ca(2+)](i) and radioimmunoassay. PACAP effects on acid secretion were determined in fistula rats with or without neutralizing anti-somatostatin antibodies. All splice variants of PAC1 were found, but vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) receptor (VPAC) products were absent. PACAP-27 and -38 dose-dependently raise [Ca(2+)](i) in ECL cells, and stimulated histamine release. VIP had a much lower affinity, which demonstrates the presence of PAC1 but not VPAC. PACAP elevated [Ca(2+)](i) in ECL and parietal cells of superfused gastric glands, but only the parietal cell signal was inhibited by ranitidine, showing the absence of PAC1 on parietal cells, and demonstrating functional coupling between the cell types. PACAP and VIP stimulated calcium signaling and somatostatin release from D cells with almost equal efficacy. Acid secretion was stimulated after intravenous injection of PACAP into rats treated with somatostatin antibody. PACAP is a candidate as a mediator of neural regulation of acid secretion.

Capsaicin inhibits the pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in anaesthetized rats with acute gastric fistula

The effect of capsaicin on basal and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion was investigated in the urethane anaesthetized acute gastric fistula rat. Gastric acid secretion was measured by flushing of the gastric lumen with saline every 15 min or by continuous gastric perfusion. Capsaicin given into the rat stomach at 120 ng.mL –1 prior to pentagastrin (25 μg.kg –1, iv) reduced gastric acid secretory response to pentagastrin by 24%. Intravenous (iv) capsaicin (0.5 μg.kg –1) did not reduce the pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. After topical capsaicin desensitization (3 mg.mL –1), basal gastric acid secretion and that in response to pentagastrin (25 μg.kg –1, intraperitonaeally) was unaltered compared with the control group. Data indicate that topical capsaicin inhibits gastric acid secretion stimulated with pentagastrin in anaesthetized rats.

Sulindac is excreted into bile by a canalicular bile salt pump and undergoes a cholehepatic circulation in rats

Background & Aims: Dihydroxy bile acids induce a bicarbonate-rich hypercholeresis when secreted into canalicular bile in unconjugated form; the mechanism is cholehepatic shunting. The aim of this study was to identify a xenobiotic that induces hypercholeresis by a similar mechanism. Methods: Five organic acids (sulindac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, diclofenac, and norfloxacin) were infused into rats with biliary fistulas. Biliary recovery, bile flow, and biliary bicarbonate were analyzed. Sulindac transport was further characterized using Tr − rats (deficient in mrp2, a canalicular transporter for organic anions), the isolated perfused rat liver, and hepatocyte membrane fractions. Results: In biliary fistula rats, sulindac was recovered in bile in unconjugated form and induced hypercholeresis of canalicular origin. Other compounds underwent glucuronidation and were not hypercholeretic. In the isolated liver, sulindac had delayed biliary recovery and induced prolonged choleresis, consistent with a cholehepatic circulation. Sulindac was secreted normally in Tr − rats, indicating that its canalicular transport did not require mrp2. In the perfused liver, sulindac inhibited cholyltaurine uptake, and when coinfused with cholyltaurine, induced acute cholestasis. With both basolateral and canalicular membrane fractions, sulindac inhibited cholyltaurine transport competitively. Conclusions: Sulindac is secreted into bile in unconjugated form by a canalicular bile acid transporter and is absorbed by cholangiocytes, inducing hypercholeresis. At high flux rates, sulindac competitively inhibits canalicular bile salt transport; such inhibition may contribute to the propensity of sulindac to induce cholestasis in patients. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1999;117:962-971

Capsaicin-sensitive vagal fibres and 5-HT 3-, gastrin releasing peptide- and cholecystokinin A-receptors are involved in distension-induced inhibition of gastric emptying in the rat

The present study was undertaken to investigate how the activation of gastric mechanoreceptors by distension of the stomach in conscious gastric fistula rats influences gastric emptying; and the roles of capsaicin sensitive vagal afferent fibres and the 5-HT 3, GRP and CCK-A receptors involved in mediating these responses. To activate mechanoreceptors by non-nutrient dependent pathways, methylcellulose in saline was used to distend the stomach (5 cm H 2O) and the subsequent emptying of saline was examined immediately, and at 3, 5 and 10 min following distension. Prior distension delayed the subsequent emptying of saline instilled into the stomach compared with non-distended controls (2.28±0.09 ml/5 min; P<0.001). Topical application of capsaicin, completely abolished the distension-induced inhibition of gastric emptying when compared with vehicle treated rats (2.82±0.09 vs. 2.38±0.04 ml/5 min; P<0.001). Peripheral administration of a GRP antagonist (2258 U89UJ, 1 mg/kg), and a 5-HT3 antagonist (BRL4369UA, 50 μg/kg) significantly reversed (2.56±0.14 ml/5 min; P<0.05 and 2.61±0.07 ml/5 min; P<0.01; respectively) the delay in gastric emptying induced by distension. When the rats were treated with the CCK-A antagonist, gastric emptying of saline following distension was also significantly facilitated (2.56±0.07 ml/5 min; P<0.001). In contrast, the CCK-B/gastrin receptor antagonist had no significant effect on the distension induced delay in gastric emptying (1.95±0.12 ml/5 min). The present results suggest that gastric distension in conscious gastric fistula rats delays gastric emptying by activating capsaicin-sensitive extrinsic afferent nerve fibres. Moreover, the results also indicate that distension-induced mechanisms involve GRP, 5-HT 3 and CCK-A receptors, but not CCK-B receptors.

Peripheral stimulation of CCK-B receptors by BC264 induces a hyperexploration, dependent on the ∂ opioid system in the nucleus accumbens of rat

This study analyses the influence of the CCKergic system on the enkephalinergic system in the exploratory behavior of rats, using both behavioral and biochemical approaches. The results show that the increase of the spontaneous alternation behavior induced by the selective CCKB agonist, BC264 (3 μg/kg) was not suppressed by the opioid antagonists, naloxone (100 μg/kg), or naltrindole (300 μg/kg). In contrast, BC264 injected at the same dose induced a hyperlocomotor activity measured in the open-field test, which was antagonized by the selective ∂ opioid antagonist, naltrindole. BC264 (3 μg/kg) significantly increased the extracellular levels of Met-LI in the anterior part of the nucleus accumbens. Furthermore, local injection of naltrindole (0.25 μg/0.5 μl) in the anterior nucleus accumbens completely suppressed the hyperlocomotion induced by BC264. The behavioral effects induced by BC264 cannot be explained by its interaction with gastrinic receptors mediating gastric acid release, since BC264 produced a long-lasting increase of gastric acid output from conscious gastric fistula rats only at doses 100 times higher than those inducing behavioral modifications. The hyperlocomotion obtained after stimulation by BC264 of probably peripheral CCKB receptors, indicates that this receptor type could participate in the transmission of information between the peripheral system and some regions of the CNS involved in motivations and emotions.

Modulation of external pancreatic secretion by endogenous norepinephrine: study with a norepinephrine uptake blocker in the rat.

The effect of endogenous catecholamines on pancreatic secretion was analyzed with nisoxetine, a specific norepinephrine uptake blocker, and specific adrenoceptor antagonists in anesthetized acute fistula rats. Nisoxetine was administered alone or with alpha-1 (prazosin), alpha-2 (idazoxan or yohimbine), or beta (propranolol) adrenoceptor antagonists. Pancreatic secretion was measured in basal conditions or after stimulation by 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), electrical vagal stimulation, or acetylcholine. (a) Basal. Nisoxetine alone had no effect. Associated with idazoxan or yohimbine, nisoxetine produced a dose-related stimulation (p < 0.01) of water and electrolyte without changing protein output. Addition of propranolol abolished this stimulation. (b) 2DG. Nisoxetine inhibited 2DG-induced secretion (p < 0.01). Idazoxan or yohimbine suppressed the nisoxetine inhibition of water and electrolyte output (p < 0.01) but had no effect on protein output, which was restored only by adding a mixture of idazoxan, prazosin, and propranolol. (c) Electrical stimulation. Nisoxetine did not modify water and electrolyte but inhibited protein response by 75%. Adding idazoxan to nisoxetine significantly increased (p < 0.01) water and bicarbonate response and partly restored protein response. Water and bicarbonate response was restored by propranolol, whereas protein response was only restored by adding a mixture of idazoxan, prazosin, and propranolol. (d) Nisoxetine did not modify pancreatic response to acetylcholine. In conclusion, endogenous norepinephrine affects the response to vagally mediated effects through several subtypes of adrenoceptors, without changing basal or acetylcholine stimulated secretion.

Effects of TU-199, a novel H+, K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, on gastric acid secretion and gastroduodenal ulcers in rats.

We studied the effects of TU-199, a novel H+, K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, on gastric acid secretion and gastroduodenal lesions in rats in comparison with those of omeprazole. TU-199 inhibited hog gastric H+, K(+)-ATPase activity and its potency was almost equal to that of omeprazole (IC50 = 6.2 and 4.2 microM, respectively). In vivo, TU-199 inhibited basal gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats in a dose-dependent manner (ED50 = 4.2 mg/kg p.o.). In gastric fistula rats. TU-199 (2.5 and 5 mg/kg i.d.) also inhibited gastric acid secretion stimulated by histamine, carbachol or tetragastrin. Furthermore, TU-199 prevented the formation of water-immersion restraint stress-, pylorus ligation- and indomethacin-induced gastric lesions, and mepirizole-induced duodenal ulcer in rats. These antisecretory and antiulcer effects of TU-199 were 2-4 times more potent than those of omeprazole. The results demonstrate that TU-199 potently inhibits the acid secretion and formation of ulcers in various experimental rat models via an inhibition of H+, K(+)-ATPase. These findings suggest that TU-199 may have a beneficial effect against peptic ulcer disease in humans.

Antisecretory and ulcer healing effects of S-0509, a novel CCK-B/gastrin receptor antagonist, in rats.

The effects of a novel CCK-B/gastrin receptor antagonist, S-0509, on gastric acid secretion and the healing of acetic acid ulcers in rats were examined. S-0509, orally administered 1, 6, and 12 hr prior to a 3-hr pylorus ligation, significantly inhibited basal gastric acid secretion in both normal rats and rats with gastric ulcers. The inhibition was nearly dose-related, persisted for more than 15 hr, and proved to be more potent in rats with ulcers than in normal rats. In addition, S-0509 markedly inhibited pentagastrin- and carbachol-stimulated acid secretion in both normal rats and rats with ulcers, but failed to inhibit histamine-stimulated secretions. In chronic gastric fistula rats, S-0509 also significantly inhibited pentagastrin- and carbachol-stimulated gastric acid secretion in a dose-related manner, but had no effect on histamine-stimulated secretion. These effects were largely similar to those observed with famotidine, although famotidine also inhibited histamine-stimulated secretion. A two-week treatment with S-0509 markedly enhanced the spontaneous healing of acetic acid ulcers and prevented the delay in ulcer healing caused by indomethacin. Gastric secretion was significantly inhibited and the plasma gastrin level was increased in the animals studied. It is concluded that S-0509 is a promising new antisecretory drug for the treatment of peptic ulcers.

The choleretic effects of N-acetylglucosaminides, major urinary metabolites of ursodeoxycholic acid, in bile fistula rats

We investigated the effects of three bile acids conjugated with N-acetylglucosamine, ursodeoxycholate N-acetylglucosaminide, tauroursodeoxycholate N-acetylglucosaminide and glycoursodeoxycholate N-acetylglucosaminide, on bile flow and biliary excretion of various markers in comparison with ursodeoxycholic acid, tauroursodeoxycholic acid and glycoursodeoxycholic acid in bile fistula rats. These bile acids were infused intravenously at a constant rate of 0.3 or 0.6 μmol/min/100 g b.w. for 2 h. All bile acids examined increased bile flow in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, ursodeoxycholate N-acetylglucosaminide has a longer-lasting effect after its infusion on bile flow than the other bile acids. Furthermore, these bile acids markedly increased biliary total bile acid excretion. At a higher dose level, the coefficient of determination ( r 2) between the biliary total bile acid excretion and bile flow for ursodeoxycholate N-acetylglucosaminide ( r 2=0.39) was lower than that for the other bile acids ( r 2=0.75–0.92). The ursodeoxycholate N-acetylglucosaminide, as well as tauroursodeoxycholic acid, glycoursodeoxycholic acid, tauroursodeoxycholate N-acetylglucosaminide and glycoursodeoxycholate N-acetylglucosaminide, was mostly excreted in an unchanged form in bile, whereas ursodeoxycholic acid was excreted as a conjugate with taurine. The three N-acetylglucosaminides as well as ursodeoxycholic acid, tauroursodeoxycholic acid and glycoursodeoxycholic acid significantly increased the biliary excretion of cholesterol, phospholipid, bilirubin and total Ca 2+. In contrast, the N-acetylglucosaminides significantly decreased in biliary bicarbonate concentration, whereas ursodeoxycholic acid significantly increased biliary bicarbonate concentration. However, tauroursodeoxycholic acid and glycoursodeoxycholic acid did not significantly change the biliary bicarbonate concentration. The results indicate that N-acetylglucosaminides have a choleretic effect in bile fistula rats. Our present study also demonstrates that N-acetylglucosaminides, but not ursodeoxycholic acid, tauroursodeoxycholic acid or glycoursodeoxycholic acid, can significantly reduce the biliary bicarbonate concentration. Furthermore, our findings suggest that ursodeoxycholate N-acetylglucosaminide may partly exert a choleretic effect via mechanisms different from those of the other bile acids.

Carbachol stimulation of gastric acid secretion and its effects on the parietal cell.

1. The acid secretagogue effect of gastrin is mainly mediated by the release of enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cell histamine, but the mechanism of muscarinic stimulation of acid secretion remains unclear. The results of studying aminopyrine uptake in isolated parietal cells, and histamine release in isolated ECL cells suggest that muscarinic agents may act both directly on the parietal cell and indirectly via histamine release from ECL cells. 2. We examined parietal and ECL cell responses to the muscarinic agent carbamylcholine (carbachol) in conscious rats and in rat isolated vascularly perfused stomachs. 3. Intravenous carbachol stimulated acid secretion in conscious gastric fistula rats and increased H+K+ ATPase mRNA abundance, indicating activation of parietal cells. In these experiments there was no increase in portal venous histamine, or in oxyntic mucosal histidine decarboxylase (HDC) enzyme activity and HDC mRNA abundance. 4. In rat isolated stomachs stimulated with carbachol in the dose range 10 nM(-1) mM only the 1 microM concentration increased venous histamine significantly. 5. We concluded that the muscarinic agent carbachol stimulates acid secretion and H+K+ ATPase mRNA in vivo by a direct effect on the parietal cell, that does not depend on the release of ECL cell histamine.

B008 Sarcoplasmic reticulum gene expression in volume-overloaded cardiac hypertrophy induced by an arteriovenous fistula in rats

B008 Sarcoplasmic reticulum gene expression in volume-overloaded cardiac hypertrophy induced by an arteriovenous fistula in rats

Sustained cholecystokinin-B/gastrin receptor blockade does not impair basal or histamine-stimulated acid secretion in chronic gastric fistula rats.

Gastrin is a physiologically important secretagogue. It is thought to stimulate parietal cells indirectly by mobilizing histamine from enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the oxyntic mucosa. Gastrin stimulates the secretory activity and growth of the ECL cells via an action on cholecystokinin-B/gastrin receptors. Acute cholecystokinin-B/gastrin receptor blockade is known to inhibit gastrin-stimulated acid secretion but whether sustained cholecystokinin-B/gastrin receptor blockade will impair basal, gastrin- and histamine-stimulated acid secretion remains uncertain. The present study was designed to study the effect of long-term (4 weeks) cholecystokinin-B/gastrin receptor blockade on basal and stimulated acid secretion in conscious rats. The selective cholecystokinin-B/gastrin receptor antagonist YM022 (3 mumol.kg-1.hr-1) was given to gastric fistula rats by continuous subcutaneous infusion via osmotic minipumps for various times from 2 hr to 4 weeks. Basal, gastrin- and histamine-stimulated acid secretion were examined during and after cessation of treatment. Basal and histamine-stimulated acid secretion was not affected by YM022 during the 4 week period of administration, whereas gastrin-induced acid secretion was inhibited. YM022 induced hypergastrinaemia in freely fed rats but did not affect the serum gastrin level in fasted rats. The serum gastrin concentration and gastrin-induced acid secretion returned to control levels 3-7 days after termination of YM022 administration.

Taurohyodeoxycholic acid protects against taurochenodeoxycholic acid-induced cholestasis in the rat.

The prevention of the hepatotoxic effects produced by intravenous infusion of taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) by coinfusion with taurohyodeoxycholic acid (THDCA) was evaluated in bile fistula rats; the hepatoprotective effects of the latter were also compared with those of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA). Rats infused with TCDCA at a dose of 8 micromol/min/kg showed reduced bile flow and calcium secretion, as well as increased biliary release of alkaline phosphatase (AP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). This was associated with a very low biliary secretion rate of TCDCA (approximately 1 micromol/min/kg). Simultaneous infusion of THDCA or TUDCA at the same dose preserved bile flow and almost totally abolished the pathological leakage of the two enzymes into bile. The effect was slightly more potent for THDCA. The maximum secretion rate of TCDCA increased to the highest value (8 micromol/min/kg) when coinfused with either of the two hepatoprotective bile acids (BA), which were efficiently and completely secreted in the bile, without metabolism. Calcium output was also restored and phospholipid (PL) secretion increased with respect to the control saline infusion. This increase was higher in the THDCA study. These data show that THDCA is highly effective in the prevention of hepatotoxicity induced by intravenous infusion of TCDCA by facilitating its biliary secretion and reducing its hepatic residence time; this was associated with selective stimulation of PL biliary secretion.

Metabolic fate and hepatocyte toxicity of reverse amide analogs of conjugated ursodeoxycholate in the rat

Reverse amide analogs of conjugated bile acids were tested for their effects on the viability of cultured primary rat hepatocytes, for their transport and metabolism in the intact rat, and for their susceptibility to hydrolysis by intestinal bacteria. Succinylnorursodeoxycholanylamide (SNUDCN) and its parent C 23 amine showed the same general lack of toxicity toward hepatocytes as the normal conjugates of ursodeoxycholic acid, at concentrations up to 500 μM. The 3 α,7 α,12 α-trihydroxy analog and its parent amine were more toxic than the corresponding dihydroxy compounds, although their effects were similar to those observed for the normal conjugates of cholic acid. Following intraduodenal infusion, greater than 80% of administered SNUDCN appeared in the bile of bile fistula rats. Analysis of bile fractions indicated the presence of SNUDCN (81.5 mol% of original amount) and two metabolites, the taurine conjugate of SNUDCN (9.4 mol%) and SNUDCN containing an additional hydroxy group (9.1 mol%). Although SNUDCN underwent an efficient first pass enterohepatic circulation, it displayed a shorter biological half life than taurocholate ( T 1/2: 8.9 h vs 39.6 h, respectively). The reverse amide analogs were not hydrolyzed by any of a variety of intestinal bacteria known to hydrolyze normal conjugated bile acids. Despite the shorter half-life, the reverse amide analogs may be of potential use in the targeting of therapeutic bile acids to the colon.