title: Enhancing absorption of fluorescein and LHRH across hindgut epithelia in a marsupial, the common brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula.
abstract: We have identified differences in transport properties of intestinal epithelia in the marsupial brushtail possum, compared to eutherian mammals. To determine whether differences in its permeability to hydrophilic compounds also occur, the absorption of sodium fluorescein and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) was assessed in vitro and the ability of chemical enhancers and a metabolic inhibitor to promote their absorption investigated. The apparent permeability of colonic and caecal tissues to fluorescein and LHRH and transepithelial resistance (Rt) in the absence or presence of ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), sodium deoxycholic acid (SDA), dithiothreitol (DTT), polyacrylic acids (PAA), or the inhibitor bacitracin were determined. The effects of SDA and/or DTT on adherent mucus and the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were also assessed. In the absence of treatment, both tissues had comparable amounts of adherent mucus, Rt and low permeabilities to fluorescein and LHRH. All chemical enhancers increased fluorescein permeability, but SDA at concentrations >0.5 mM also induced LDH release. DTT alone and in combination with SDA reduced the amount of adherent mucus. Bacitracin inhibited LHRH metabolism and increased LHRH permeability. These data indicate that the possum hindgut epithelium represents a significant barrier to the uptake of hydrophilic compounds, similar to that in eutherians.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: McLeod
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ledger
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Butt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015194:Diffusion Chambers, Culture; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000502:physiology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D048330:Trichosurus / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D019793:Fluorescein