Tachykinins mediate changes in ion transport in porcine jejunum through release of prostaglandins and neurotransmitters

Abstract In the present study, we investigated the mediators involved in substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) induced ion transport. Stripped preparations of porcine jejunal tissue were mounted in Ussing-chambers and short-circuited. The cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, piroxicam (10 μM) and the neuronal conduction blocker, tetrodotoxin (TTX) (0.1 μM) both significantly decreased the SP (0.1 μM) (66% and 36%, respectively) and NKA (1 μM) (64% and 31%, respectively) induced increase in short-circuit current (SCC). Pretreatment with both piroxicam and TTX totally abolished the SP and NKA response. SP (0.1 μM) caused a significant release of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ), whereas the release of PGE 2 induced by NKA was not significant. Experiments were performed to clarify if vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was mediating SP or NKA responses. VIP caused a TTX-insensitive and a concentration-dependent increase in SCC. Two VIP antagonists did not change the response to VIP (10 nM and 0.1 μM). Thus, these antagonists could not be used to further elucidate the role of VIP. We were unable to measure a significant release of VIP after SP or NKA treatment. These results indicate, that SP and NKA regulate ion transport in porcine jejunum, entirely through the release of prostaglandins and enteric neurotransmitters.