Abstract

To investigate the nature of variations in the large intestine potential differences, a continuous perfusion of isotonic saline was carried out in the colon of 14 rats. Intraluminal pressure and potential differences between the lumen and the peritoneal cavity were continuously and simultaneously recorded, while impedance of the system and respiration were also constantly monitored. To obtain a quantitative evaluation of the data, Fast Fouier Transform was performed on the signals and their derivatives which were auto- and cross-correlated. While there was no obvious relation between pressure and potential in the unperfused colon, there was clear visual qualirative evidence that, during steady state conditions of perfusion, an increase in intraluminal pressure was accompanied by a decrease in potential differences, while impedance of the recording system remained unchanged. Computer analysis disclosed four narrow ranges of stable frequencies for both pressure and potential. They were centred around 0-3, 1-75, 10-7, and 75 cycles per minute, the latter being synchronous with respiration. It is concluded that the variations of potential differences recorded during perfusion, a well-know phenomenon, are not electrical artefacts: the fast rhythm is probably induced by respiration, which increases intracolonic pressure and that, in turn, reduces the absolute value of potential differences, which remain negative mucosa versus serosa. The slower rhythms are synchronous for pressure and potential. Mechanisms responsible for the decrease in potential related to the increase in pressure remain unknown.