The function of prostaglandins in transmucosal water movement and blood flow in the rat jejunum.

1. Jejunal loops of anaesthetized rats were perfused with isotonic buffer containing PGE1, PGF2alpha or indomethacin. Intestinal blood flow, absorption and secretion of tritiated water were measured. 2. PGE1 at the low concentration of 0.1 microgram ml-1 did not influence intestinal blood flow but increased secretion and decreased absorption of tritiated water. In higher concentrations (0.5 and 6.5 microgram ml-1), blood flow, secretion and absorption were enhanced. 3. PGF2alpha, even in the high concentration of 50 microgram ml-1, did not influence intestinal blood flow but enhanced secretion and decreased absorption of tritiated water. 4. Indomethacin (1 microgram ml-1) decreased intestinal blood flow and secretion but enhanced absorption of tritiated water. 5. The effects of indomethacin on blood flow can be prevented and those on secretion can be even reversed by an additional infusion of PGE1 (0.5 microgram ml-1). 6. PGs appear to play a physiological role in the regulation of intestinal blood flow and transmucosal water movement, since inhibition of endogenous PG synthesis by indomethacin results in effects opposite to those of intraluminally applied PGE1. The results obtained with the low concentration of PGE1 (0.1 microgram ml-1) and with PGF2alpha (50 microgram ml-1) strongly indicate that intestinal water movement can be changed independently of intestinal blood flow.