Effects of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin, atropine, clonidine, and morphine on chloride efflux from isolated enterocytes.

The effects of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) on chloride efflux rate were investigated in 3 fractions of enterocytes isolated in a villus-to-crypt gradient from porcine jejunum. There was no difference in chloride efflux rates between mature and immature cells from controls. Heat-stable enterotoxin significantly increased chloride efflux in all fractions. Morphine inhibited ST-augmented secretion in mature enterocytes. Atropine or clonidine had no effect. Calcium efflux rates and glucose or glutamic acid metabolism were not altered by ST. The results indicate that ST may stimulate chloride secretion in both villus and crypt cells and that opiates inhibit intestinal secretion by a direct action on villus epithelial cells.