Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are considered to be beneficial fermentation products in the gut by exerting trophic effects in non-transformed colon cells and by slowing proliferation and enhancing differentiation in colonic tumour cells. We have studied the further effects of SCFA on cellular events of early carcinogenesis, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in rat distal colon cells. Cytotoxicity was assessed by measuring trypan blue exclusion and by determining the H2O2-induced changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) using a fluorospectrophotometer and the calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye Fura-2. The microgel electrophoresis technique (COMET assay) was used to assess oxidative DNA damage. Individual SCFA and physiological SCFA mixtures were investigated for their potential to prevent DNA and cell damage induced by H2O2. For this, freshly isolated colon cells were treated with H2O2 (100-500 microM) and 6.25 mM SCFA. We have found 100-500 microM H2O2 to cause a fast initial increase in [Ca2+]i, whereafter the levels gradually further increased. Addition of SCFA did not affect [Ca2+]i nor did it reduce the H2O2-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. Butyrate and acetate were able to reduce the induction of DNA damage by 100, 200 and 500 microM H2O2, respectively. In contrast, i-butyrate and propionate were ineffective. The degree of reduction of DNA damage for the two protective SCFA was similar. Physiological mixtures containing acetate, propionate and butyrate in ratios of 41:21:38 or 75:15:10 that are expected to arise in the colon after fermentation of resistant starches and pectin, respectively, did not show significant antigenotoxic effects. The major difference between butyrate and acetate, on one hand, and i-butyrate and propionate, on the other hand, is that the former compounds are utilized best as energy sources by the colon cells. Therefore, our results on antigenotoxicity coupled with the findings on [Ca2+]i homeostasis indicate that molecular effects on the energy system render these non-transformed, freshly isolated colon cells to be less susceptible to H2O2.

Rabbit connecting tubules and cortical collecting ducts were isolated by immunodissection and cultured on permeable supports. The monolayers actively transported Ca2+ with a net transcellular rate of 92 +/- 3 nmol.h-1.cm-2. Methoxyverapamil, felodipine, diltiazem, omega-conotoxin GVIA, and omega-agatoxin IVA when added to the apical side had no effect on Ca2+ absorption. Neither hyperpolarization nor depolarization of the apical membrane affected Ca2+ transport rates significantly. Stepwise lowering of the apical pH (pHa) from 8.0 to 5.6 gradually inhibited Ca2+ transport from 88 +/- 5 to 7 +/- 2 nmol.h-1.cm-2. Measuring the intracellular pH (pHi) with 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein revealed that lowering the pHa from 8.0 to 5.6 decreased pHi from 7.8 to 6.7. To determine whether inhibition of Ca2+ absorption results from intracellular acidification, pHi was lowered using an NH4Cl pulse while extracellular pH was kept constant. Intracellular acidification from 7.4 +/- 0.2 to 6.9 +/- 0.1 reduced Ca2+ absorption by 26 +/- 6% only. In addition, lowering of the basolateral pH to 6.2 resulted in a pHi of 6.8 +/- 0.1, without affecting Ca2+ absorption rates. In conclusion, the basal Ca2+ influx mechanism in the apical membrane is most likely a voltage-independent Ca2+ transporter, insensitive to Ca2+ channel blockers, but strongly inhibited by apical acidification.

Celsior and UW are equally effective in preventing rat liver cell death after 0-16 hr of cold preservation as compared with the less effective HTK solution. After 24-hr cold storage, rat livers were best preserved in UW. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in mode of cell death (apoptosis or oncotic necrosis) after storage in any of the three solutions.

The crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) is involved in the regulation of endogenous blood glucose metabolism. In this paper we describe the daily rhythmicity in the blood glucose and the blood CHH content of the crayfish Orconectes limosus. Both blood CHH and blood glucose levels increase during the first hours after the beginning of darkness. The bioactivity of released CHH is far higher than that of CHH stored in the sinus gland. Moreover, the released hyperglycemic material shows an affinity for high molecular weight proteins in the hemolymph. Preliminary results suggest that subunits of hemocyanin may act as potential carrier-proteins for bioactive CHH.

The human colon carcinoma cell line HT29 c1.19A was studied for organic anion transporter activity by determining intracellular fluo-3 and fura-red accumulation and by measuring fluo-3 efflux. Modulators of organic anion transport systems were used to identify the transporters that are involved in dye extrusion. Addition of probenecid to the dye-loading medium, containing 10 microM fluo-3/AM and fura-red/AM, resulted in a dose-dependent increase in fluo-3 and fura-red accumulation in the cells. The increase in fluo-3 accumulation in the cells in the presence of probenecid was explained by the inhibitory effect of this compound on fluo-3 efflux. Fluo-3 efflux from the cells was also inhibited by sulfinpyrazone, another inhibitor of organic anion transport. Substrates of renal probenecid-sensitive organic anion exchange mechanisms as well as modulators of multidrug resistance associated protein (MRP) activity did not influence fluo-3 extrusion rates. However, reducing intracellular ATP contents completely blocked fluo-3 extrusion. Moreover, MK571, an inhibitor of MRP, significantly stimulated dye accumulation, whereas inhibitors of the multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) product Pglycoprotein, cyclosporin A and verapamil, did not. As probenecid inhibits fluo-3 efflux across the apical membrane of cells grown on permeable supports, we conclude that a probenecid-sensitive organic anion transporter is present in the apical membrane of HT29 c1.19A cells. This organic anion transport system differs from MDRI and MRP2.