SUMMARY1. In this study, the mechanisms involved in the release of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity (NTLI) by glucose were investigated with the isolated, vascularly perfused rat jejunoileum preparation.2. Luminal infusion of glucose (1-250 mM) produced a sharp and sustained release of NTLI in the intestinal venous effluent. The first significant response was observed with 5 mm glucose and the release reached a maximum under 250 mm glucose with a plateau secretion at 500% of basal.3. There was no significant difference in the ability of galactose and 3-0-methylglucose to release NTLI when compared to glucose, but ac-methylglucose, mannose, 2-deoxyglucose and fructose did not stimulate NTLI release.4. Luminal infusion of 5 mm phloridzin reduced the glucose-induced release of NTLI by 90 %. Intra-arterial infusion of glucose (25 mm) or of phloretin (20 jiM) had no significant effect on the glucose-evoked NTLI secretion.5. Intra-arterial infusion of ouabain (1 mM) produced a dramatic increase (at about 1500% of basal) in portal NTLI although it drastically reduced intestinal absorption of glucose.6. Intra-arterial infusion of tetrodotoxin (1 ,sM), atropine (10 /LM), verapamil (50 ,tM) or nifedipine (50 /LM) did not modify the glucose-induced NTLI secretion.7. Intra-arterial infusion of forskolin (2-20 /SM) evoked a prompt and wellsustained secretion of NTLI which was increased to a mean value of 800 % of basal with the highest dose tested. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, 10-100 ,tM) also stimulated the secretion of NTLI (maximal increase at 725% of basal at 100 pM).In contrast, intra-arterial infusion of 4-,8-phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA, 0 05-0-5 /SM) had no effect on NTLI release.8. IBMX (10-100 /iM) synergistically enhanced NTLI responses induced by 250 mm glucose; the integrated response of NTLI release was 3-to 5-fold higher * To whom correspondence should be addressed.
MS 1650T. DAKKA, J.-C. CUBER AND J.-A. CHAYVIALLE than the sum of individual responses produced by the same stimulants given separately. 9. It is concluded that the carbohydrate-induced NTLI release is related to the active, sodium-dependent hexose transport, but not to the carbohydrate catabolic pathway. Furthermore, the intramural nerves and L-type calcium channels are not involved in the glucose-induced NTLI secretion. Finally, the secretory activity of the intestinal N cell seems to be mainly stimulated through a cAMP-dependent pathway.