Duodenal bicarbonate secretion in rats: stimulation by intra‐arterial and luminal guanylin and uroguanylin

Aim:  Uroguanylin and guanylin are endogenous ligands for guanylate cyclase C, an upstream regulator of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane resistance (CFTR) anion channel, and both peptides increase intestinal anion export in vitro . We have compared the effects of close intra‐arterial and luminal administration of uroguanylin and guanylin on duodenal bicarbonate secretion in vivo and studied the interactions with melatonin and cholinergic stimulation. Methods:  Lewis × Dark Agouti rats were anaesthetized and a segment of the proximal duodenum with intact blood supply was cannulated in situ . Mucosal bicarbonate secretion (pH stat) was continuously recorded and peptides were infused intra‐arterially or added to the luminal perfusate. Results:  Intra‐arterial (50–1000 pmol kg −1  h −1 ) as well as luminal administration (50–500 nmol L −1 ) of guanylin or uroguanylin caused dose‐dependent increases in the duodenal secretion. Luminal administration induced more rapidly appearing rises in secretion and the two peptides induced secretory responses of similar shape and magnitude. The melatonin MT 2 ‐selective antagonist luzindole (600 nmol kg −1 ) significantly depressed the response to intra‐arterial guanylins but did not affect secretion induced by luminal guanylins. Similarly, the muscarinic antagonist atropine (0.75 μmol kg −1 followed by 0.15 μmol kg −1  h −1 ) abolished the response to intra‐arterial uroguanylin but caused only slight suppression of the response to luminal uroguanylin. Conclusions:  Intra‐arterial as well as luminal uroguanylin and guanylin are potent stimuli of duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion in vivo . The response to luminal guanylins reflects an action at apical receptors. Stimulation by parenteral guanylins, in contrast, is under cholinergic influence and interacts with melatonin produced by mucosal enteroendocrine cells.