Rhein stimulates active chloride secretion in the short-circuited rat colonic mucosa.

In a short-circuited mucosa-submucosa preparation of the rat descending colon with preserved Meissner's plexus mounted as an everted sac rhein transiently increased the potential difference and short-circuit current (Isc) when administered serosally and mucosally, but serosal application was more effective. Maximal effects were obtained at rhein concentrations of 1.6 X 10(-4) and 3 X 10(-4) mol/l. Net chloride absorption was decreased. Indomethacin (5 X 10(-6) mol/l) did not inhibit the increase of Isc, but omission of calcium from the serosal side as well as tetrodoxin (2 X 10(-7) mol/l) decreased it by 50 and 60%. Mechanical removal of Meissner's plexus partly blocked the effect of rhein, too. It is concluded that rhein stimulates colonic secretion by a direct action on the epithelial cells together with an indirect action via neurohumoral mechanisms.