Inhibitory effect of sodium ursodeoxycholate on basal and stimulated short-circuit current across the isolated toad skin.

The effect of sodium ursodeoxycholate (U) on short-circuit current (SCC), an index of basal and stimulated net ion transport across isolated skins of Bufo arenarum toads, was tested. U inhibited basal SCC when added to the epidermal side of the skins. The inhibitory effect was reversible after rinsing the preparation during 60 min. U also inhibited the natriferic response to oxytocin, db-cAMP and theophylline by 82%, 49% and 47%, respectively. Inhibition of SCC by exposure to U was reversed by the polyene antibiotic nystatin. In turn, SCC induced by nystatin in the amiloride-treated skin was insensitive to U and blocked by ouabain, a Na+, K(+)-ATPase inhibitor. These results strongly suggest that the effect of U is exerted at the apical membrane of sodium transporting cells, and rule out the existence of an additional site of inhibitory action of U.