Although the gastrointestinal tract is a rich source of melatonin and possesses numerous melatonin-binding sites, the role of melatonin in this tissue has not yet been fully elucidated. In this work we focused on the role of melatonin in the modulation of ion transport in rat distal colon. Whereas melatonin had no effect on colonic secretion or caused only infrequent and small changes in the short circuit current (Isc) due to its solvent ethanol, this mediator significantly modulated the secretion elicited by some secretagogues. Out of the five substances tested (prostaglandin E(2); 5-hydroxytryptamine; bethanechol; histamine; sodium nitroprusside) melatonin inhibited the effect of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Melatonin concentration-dependently decreased PGE(2)-evoked Isc and this inhibitory effect was more obvious from the mucosal side. The basal level of cAMP in colonic mucosa was not influenced by melatonin, but this drug prevented a PGE(2)-induced increase in the level of cAMP. The neurotoxin tetrodotoxin blocked the inhibitory effect of melatonin on SNP-induced Isc. Our data suggests that melatonin takes part in the modulation of colonic ion transport. The modulatory effect of melatonin on PGE(2)-induced Isc occurs directly at the level of the epithelium, whereas the effect on SNP-induced Isc is indirect and located in tetrodotoxin-sensitive enteric neurons.

• MeSH
• AMP cyklický fyziologie   MeSH
• dinoproston farmakologie   MeSH
• financování organizované MeSH
• iontový transport účinky léků   MeSH
• kolon sekrece   účinky léků   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• melatonin farmakologie   MeSH
• nitroprusid farmakologie   MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• receptor melatoninový MT1 fyziologie   účinky léků   MeSH
• tetrodotoxin farmakologie   MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• zvířata MeSH