Dexamethasone modulation of ion transport and fluid movement across airway epithelium

Electrolyte or fluid is secreted across airway mucosa by both superficial epithelium and submucosal glands. To understand the effect of glucocorticoid on fluid movement across airway mucosa, we examined the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on bioelectric properties of canine and feline tracheal epithelium and on 22Na efflux from isolated feline tracheal submucosal glands. Potential difference (PD) and short-circuit current (SCC) across tracheal epithelium were measured using an Ussing chamber, and conductance (G) was calculated as the ratio SCC/PD. Isolated glands were loaded with 22Na, and the rate constant (RC) of Na2+ efflux was calculated by measuring the radioactivity of each effluent sample. After treatment with 10(-9) to 10(-5) M Dex for up to 6 h, the epithelium and isolated glands were stimulated with isoproterenol (ISP) and methacholine (MCh), respectively. Dex treatment did not alter significantly baseline values of PD, SCC, or RC. However, Dex treatment produced a dose-dependent attenuation of I...