Mechanisms Underlying Gut Hormone Secretion Using the Isolated Perfused Rat Small Intestine

Summary

Here, we present a powerful and physiological model to study the molecular mechanisms underlying gut hormone secretion and intestinal absorption — the isolated perfused rat small intestine.

Abstract

The gut is the largest endocrine organ of the body, producing more than 15 different peptide hormones that regulate appetite and food intake, digestion, nutrient absorption and distribution, and post-prandial glucose excursions. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate gut hormone secretion is fundamental for understanding and translating gut hormone physiology. Traditionally, the mechanisms underlying gut hormone secretion are either studied in vivo (in experimental animals or humans) or using gut hormone-secreting primary mucosal cell cultures or cell lines. Here, we introduce an isolated perfused rat small intestine as an alternative method for studying gut hormone secretion. The virtues of this model are that it relies on the intact gut, meaning that it recapitulates most of the physiologically important parameters responsible for the secretion in in vivo studies, including mucosal polarization, paracrine relationships and routes of perfusion/stimulus exposure. In addition, and unlike in vivo studies, the isolated perfused rat small intestine allows for almost complete experimental control and direct assessment of secretion. In contrast to in vitro studies, it is possible to study both the magnitude and the dynamics of secretion and to address important questions, such as what stimuli cause secretion of different gut hormones, from which side of the gut (luminal or vascular) is secretion stimulated, and to analyze in detail molecular sensors underlying the secretory response. In addition, the preparation is a powerful model for the study of intestinal absorption and details regarding the dynamics of intestinal absorption including the responsible transporters.

Introduction

The gut is the largest endocrine organ of the body, producing more than 15 different peptide hormones that regulate nutrient absorption and nutrient disposition, intestinal growth and modulate appetite¹. Gut hormones are, therefore, involved in many fundamental physiological processes, and understanding these patterns of secretion and the molecular details that control secretion of the respective hormones is thus important for our basic physiological understanding and for addressing translational aspects of gut hormone actions; but how can one study the molecular sensing mechanisms underlying gut hormone secretion? In general, hormone secretion....

Protocol

All studies were conducted with permission from the Danish Animal Experiments Inspectorate (2013-15-2934-00833) and the local ethical committee, in accordance with the guidelines of Danish legislation governing animal experimentation (1987) and the National Institutes of Health (publication number 85-23).

1. Experimental Animals

1. Obtain male Wistar rats (250 g) and house 2 per cage, with ad libitum access to standard chow and water, and maintain in­­­ a 12:12 h light-dark cycle. Our animals facilities uses non-treated water and Alrtromin rodent chow (1319 FORTI, Brogaarden, Lynge, Denmark). 
   Note: ....

Discussion

The isolated perfused rat small intestine is a powerful research tool that allows the dynamics and molecular mechanisms underlying gut hormone secretion to be studied in detail. The most critical step for the successful production of data with this model is the surgical operation. Handling of the gut will inevitably cause some damage to the intestine and should therefore be kept to an absolute minimum. Even more importantly, the speed of operation is key, particularly with regard to the time for the catheter placement in.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Chemicals for perfusion buffer
Bovine serum albumin (BSA)	Merck	1.12018.0500
Calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl2 x 2 H2O)	Merck	102382
Dextran 70	Pharmacosmos	40014
Fumaric acid disodium salt (C4H2Na2O4)	Sigma Aldrich	F9642
Glucose (C6H12O6)	Merck	108342
Magnesium sulfate hepatahydrate (MgSO4)	Merck	105886
Potasium chloride (KCl)	Merck	104936
Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4)	Merck	104873
Pyruvic acid sodium salt (C3H3NaO4)	Merck	106619
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)	Merck
Sodium chloride (NaCl)	Merck	106404
Sodium L-glutamate monohydrate (C5H8NNaO4 x H2O)	Merck	106445
Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Perfusion equitment
Universial perfusion system	Harvard Bioscience, Inc.	732316
BASIC UNIT UNIPER UP-100, TYPE 834	Harvard Bioscience, Inc.
Roller Pump, with four channels	Harvard Bioscience, Inc.	730100
Windkessel	Harvard Bioscience, Inc.	732068
Thermostatic Circulator,Bath Volume 3L, 230V/50Hz	Harvard Bioscience, Inc.	730125
Operating table, heated on tripod stand, type 873	Harvard Bioscience, Inc.	733776
Cannula with basked, OD= 2.0mm, ID= 1.0mm	Harvard Bioscience, Inc.	733313