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Unidirectional fluxes of short-chain fatty acids across segments of the large intestine in pig, sheep and pony compared with guinea pig.

Abstract: Unidirectional fluxes of short-chain fatty acids across pig, sheep and pony caecum, proximal and distal colon were studied under short-circuit current conditions in Ussing chambers. Findings are compared with results from guinea pig. Marked species differences are apparent; highest mucosal-to-serosal fluxes of acetate, propionate and butyrate were seen in guinea pig, lower values in pig and smallest fluxes in sheep and pony. Segmental differences between caecum, proximal and distal colon exist mainly in guinea pig and are less developed in pig, sheep and pony. Inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange by amiloride added to the mucosal solution decreased the mucosal-to-serosal fluxes of short-chain fatty acids clearly in guinea pig caecum and proximal colon, and very little in distal colon. This effect was somewhat less pronounced in pig caecum and distal colon, in caecum and distal colon of sheep and caecum of the pony. In pig, sheep and pony proximal colon and pony distal colon no significant inhibition was observed. Inhibition of the K(+)-H+ ATPase by addition of ouabain to the mucosal solution diminished mucosal-to-serosal fluxes of short-chain fatty acids in the guinea pig distal colon extensively. No comparable inhibition was seen in any of the other segments in the animals studied.
Publication Date: 1995-01-01 PubMed ID: 7601957DOI: 10.1007/BF00264683Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The research investigates the movement of short-chain fatty acids across different segments of the large intestine in various animal species including pigs, sheep, ponies and guinea pigs. The study explored how these movements vary across species and intestinal segments, particularly under the influence of specific inhibitors.

Methods

  • The unidirectional movement, or flux, of short-chain fatty acids was studied across three different sections of the large intestine in pigs, sheep, and ponies. The guinea pig was used as a basis for comparison.
  • These fluxes were observed under short-circuit current conditions in a device known as an Ussing chamber, a tool specifically designed for studying transport phenomena across biological membranes.

Species Differences

  • The research found that there were pronounced differences between species in terms of the flux of fatty acids. The highest fluxes of fatty acids, including acetate, propionate, and butyrate, were observed in guinea pigs.
  • On this scale, pigs demonstrated lower rates, while sheep and ponies showed the smallest fluxes out of the animals studied.
  • The variations in fatty acid fluxes across different intestinal segments were mainly evident in guinea pigs, and less so in the other animals.

Use of Inhibitors

  • Inhibition of certain biological exchanges and mechanisms were induced by adding specific substances to the mucosal solution (the liquid medium bathing the tissue).
  • Amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H+ exchange, was added to the mucosal solution. This led to an evident decrease in the mucosal-to-serosal fluxes of short-chain fatty acids, particularly in guinea pig caecum and proximal colon, and very minimal in the distal colon.
  • In contrast, the effect of Na+/H+ inhibition was less noticeable in certain areas in pigs, sheep and ponies.
  • To inhibit the activity of K(+)-H+ ATPase, a crucial enzyme for ion transport, ouabain was introduced to the mucosal solution. This caused an extensive decrease in short-chain fatty acid fluxes in the guinea pig’s distal colon. No similar inhibition was seen in the other animals or colon parts observed.

This study offers both detailed comparisons between species and a comprehensive understanding of the role of specific ionic exchanges in the regulation of short-chain fatty acid movements across the large intestine. The observations may have implications for the understanding of digestive processes in different species and potentially inform livestock diet management.

Cite This Article

APA
von Engelhardt W, Burmester M, Hansen K, Becker G. (1995). Unidirectional fluxes of short-chain fatty acids across segments of the large intestine in pig, sheep and pony compared with guinea pig. J Comp Physiol B, 165(1), 29-36. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00264683

Publication

ISSN: 0174-1578
NlmUniqueID: 8413200
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 165
Issue: 1
Pages: 29-36

Researcher Affiliations

von Engelhardt, W
  • Department of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.
Burmester, M
    Hansen, K
      Becker, G

        MeSH Terms

        • Amiloride / pharmacology
        • Animals
        • Fatty Acids, Volatile / metabolism
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Horses
        • Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects
        • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
        • Intestine, Large / cytology
        • Intestine, Large / drug effects
        • Intestine, Large / metabolism
        • Male
        • Ouabain / pharmacology
        • Sheep
        • Swine

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 4 times.
        1. Rabbani I, Rehman H, Martens H, Majeed KA, Yousaf MS, Rehman ZU. Carbonic anhydrase influences asymmetric sodium and acetate transport across omasum of sheep.. Anim Biosci 2021 May;34(5):880-885.
          doi: 10.5713/ajas.20.0163pubmed: 32810932google scholar: lookup
        2. Bastos TS, de Lima DC, Souza CMM, Maiorka A, de Oliveira SG, Bittencourt LC, Félix AP. Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis reduce faecal protein catabolites concentration and odour in dogs.. BMC Vet Res 2020 Apr 19;16(1):116.
          doi: 10.1186/s12917-020-02321-7pubmed: 32306951google scholar: lookup
        3. Ali O, Shen Z, Tietjen U, Martens H. Transport of acetate and sodium in sheep omasum: mutual, but asymmetric interactions.. J Comp Physiol B 2006 Jun;176(5):477-87.
          doi: 10.1007/s00360-006-0069-8pubmed: 16468047google scholar: lookup
        4. Genz AK, v Engelhardt W, Busche R. Maintenance and regulation of the pH microclimate at the luminal surface of the distal colon of guinea-pig.. J Physiol 1999 Jun 1;517 ( Pt 2)(Pt 2):507-19.