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Transport of acetate and sodium in sheep omasum: mutual, but asymmetric interactions

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Abstract

We have studied the transport of acetate across the isolated epithelium of sheep omasum; no net transport was observed (J ms ≈ J sm) under Ussing chamber conditions. Low mucosal pH (pH 6.4) significantly enhanced J ms acetate and the transport rates of acetate increased linearly and significantly (r 2=0.99) with the luminal acetate concentration. The presence of another short chain fatty acid (propionate) did not affect J ms acetate significantly. Neither addition of 1 mmol l−1 DIDS to the mucosal side nor HCO3 replacement caused changes of J ms acetate; this does not support the assumption of acetate transport via anion exchange. Addition of 1 mmol l−1 amiloride to the mucosal side significantly decreased acetate fluxes at high mucosal acetate concentration (100 mmol l−1) and low pH (6.4) indicating interaction between acetate uptake in the undissociated form, intracellular release of protons and activation of Na+/H+ exchange (NHE). However, the mutual interaction between Na transport via NHE and acetate transport is asymmetric. Stimulation or inhibition of Na transport via NHE is much more pronounced than the corresponding changes of acetate fluxes. Thus, the obtained results support the conclusion that acetate is transported via simple diffusion and probably predominantly in the protonated form, thereby explaining the positive and mutual interaction between Na transport and short chain fatty acids.

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Abbreviations

G t :

conductance of the epithelium (mS cm−2)

I sc :

short circuit current (μeq cm−2 h−1)

J ms :

mucosal to serosal flux (μeq cm−2 h−1)

J sm :

serosal to mucosal flux (μeq cm−2 h−1)

J net :

Jms − Jsm (μeq cm−2 h−1)

NHE:

Na+/H+ exchanger

PDt :

Transepithelial potential difference (mV)

SCFA:

short chain fatty acids

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the DAAD and of the Wilhelm Schaumann Foundation (scholarship O. Ali). Z. Shen is recipient of a grant of the BMVEL (Bonn) and of the National Nature Science Foundation of China (30471252). This study is part of a grant of the Margarete-Markus-Charity (MMC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Physiology, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan

    O. Ali

  2. Lab. of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Nanjing Agriculture University, Nanjing, China

    Z. Shen

  3. Department of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    U. Tietjen & H. Martens

  4. Department of Veterinary Physiology, Free University of Berlin, Oertzenweg 19b, 14163, Berlin, Germany

    H. Martens

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  1. O. Ali
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  2. Z. Shen
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  4. H. Martens
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Correspondence to H. Martens.

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Communicated by G. Heldmaier

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Ali, O., Shen, Z., Tietjen, U. et al. Transport of acetate and sodium in sheep omasum: mutual, but asymmetric interactions. J Comp Physiol B 176, 477–487 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-006-0069-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-006-0069-8

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