Regulation of epithelial electrolyte transport by metabolites of arachidonic acid.

Intestine (both small and large) secretes chloride in response to prostaglandins and agents, such as bradykinin, that increase prostaglandin synthesis. The colon, but not the small intestine, can also be stimulated to secrete chloride by certain lipoxygenase products, such as 5-hydroperoxy-eicosatetraenoic acid and 5-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid, but not by leukotrienes. Intestine generates these compounds and leukotriene B4 (but not C, D, and E) and their synthesis is increased by melittin, calcium ionophore A23187, and bradykinin.