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Effects of Eimeria separata infections on Na+ and Cl− transport in the rat large intestine

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Abstract

To study the pathophysiology of diarrhoea in coccidial infections, Na+ and Cl− fluxes (J Na, J Cl), short circuit current (I sc) and tissue conductance (g t) were determined in stripped gut epithelia of Eimeria separata infected rats employing the Ussing chamber technique. E. separata invades enterocytes of the caecum and proximal colon. Na+ absorption was generally reduced in infected tissues, Cl− absorption only in the caecum. I sc values were increased in the caecum and reduced in the proximal colon. Tissue conductance was not affected. Values tended to normal with time after infection. Theophylline caused markedly increased I sc and g t values in the caecum epithelia of infected rats. In the epithelia of the distal colon, i.e. the non-infested part of the large intestine, g t values remained unaffected but I sc was fourfold increased. This I sc increase was strongly sensitive to amiloride, suggesting a compensatory activation of Na+ channels in the distal colon of infected rats. Accordingly, serum levels of aldosterone, which activates Na+ channels in the distal colon, were increased to eightfold levels in infected animals. Thus compensatory Na+ absorption was under endocrine control.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr. Failing and Mr. Heiter for help in the statistical analyses as well as to Dr. Seibold for technical assistance during the use of the γ- and β-counter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Rudolf-Buchheim Strasse 2, 35392 , Giessen, Germany

    Veli Y. Cirak, Sabine Kowalik, Hans-Jürgen Bürger & Horst Zahner

  2. Institute of Animal Physiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Wartweg 95, 35392 , Giessen, Germany

    Wolfgang Clauss

  3. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Uludag University Gorukle, 16059 , Bursa, Turkey

    Veli Y. Cirak

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  1. Veli Y. Cirak
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  2. Sabine Kowalik
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  3. Hans-Jürgen Bürger
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  4. Horst Zahner
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  5. Wolfgang Clauss
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Correspondence to Wolfgang Clauss.

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Cirak, V.Y., Kowalik, S., Bürger, HJ. et al. Effects of Eimeria separata infections on Na+ and Cl− transport in the rat large intestine. Parasitol Res 92, 490–495 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-004-1077-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-004-1077-9

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