新生鼠坏死性小肠结肠炎肠道菌群变化及意义

目的探讨新生鼠坏死性小肠结肠炎(NEC)时肠道菌群变化,旨在阐明肠道菌群在NEC发病中的作用,为探讨新生儿NEC的发病机制及寻求有效的防治措施提供理论依据。方法SD新生大鼠出生48 h开始给予鼠乳代用品人工喂养,100%氮气缺氧90 s,4℃冷刺激10 min,每天2次,连续3 d,建立新生SD大鼠NEC模型。40只新生SD大鼠随机分成NEC模型组(A组)和正常对照组(B组)。每组动物各20只。在最后一次缺氧、冷刺激后24 h空腹断头处死大鼠,留取回盲部近端肠管组织进行肠组织损伤评分,组织学评分≥2确定为NEC;实验前后留取两组新生鼠粪便,按照张秀荣方法进行肠道菌群检测。实验前后比较采用配对t检验,组间比较采用方差分析,α=0.05为显著性检验标准。结果模型组新生鼠相继出现腹泻、腹胀、萎靡、活动减少,生长减慢,对照组新生大鼠进食及排便均正常,无腹胀及胃潴留,活动度良好,皮下脂肪丰满。模型组新生大鼠NEC的发生率为100%(20/20),对照组无1例发生NEC。实验组和对照组肠损伤病理评分(x±s)分别为:3.25±0.85、0.45±0.51,t=12.622,P<0.01。模型组和对照组新生鼠实验前肠道细菌总数,杆菌、球菌总数,G 杆菌、G 球菌,G-杆菌、G-球菌数差异均无显著性,肠道菌群中杆菌和球菌的比例都在正常范围中。实验结束时,正常对照组新生大鼠肠道菌群总数明显增多,其中以G 杆菌增加为主;G-杆菌属及G 球菌属菌数占肠道菌群的比率在实验前后差异无显著性;模型组新生大鼠肠道群总数亦明显增多,而且明显高于正常对照组。实验结束时肠道菌群数量,其中主要是G 球菌显著增加,而G 杆菌却较对照组明显减少,与实验前相比,明显下降,差异有显著性;模型组实验结束时肠道菌群中杆菌和球菌比值减少、倒置。结论NEC发病前正常肠道菌群已发生质和量的变化,肠道菌群紊乱在NEC发病机制中起关键作用;及时纠正肠道菌群紊乱可能会降低新生大鼠发生NEC危险性。     

Decreased development of necrotizing enterocolitis in IL-18-deficient mice

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating gastrointestinal disease predominantly of prematurely born infants, characterized in its severest from by extensive hemorrhagic inflammatory necrosis of the distal ileum and proximal colon. Proinflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the development of NEC, and we have previously shown that IL-18 is significantly elevated in the well-established neonatal rat model of NEC. To determine whether IL-18 contributes to intestinal pathology in NEC, we subjected IL-18 knockout mice to the protocol used to develop experimental NEC in newborn rats. Newborn B6.129P2-Il18(tm1Aki)/J (NEC IL-18(-/-)) and wild-type (NEC WT) mice were hand fed every 3 h with cow's milk-based formula and exposed to asphyxia and cold stress twice daily. After 72 h, animals were killed and distal ileum and liver were removed. Disease development was determined via histological changes in the ileum as scored by a blinded evaluator. The number of TNF-alpha-, IL-12-, and IL-1beta-positive cells and macrophages were determined in both ileum and liver via immunohistology. IkappaB-alpha and IkappaB-beta were determined from protein extracts from both ileum and liver using Western blot analysis. The incidence and severity of NEC was significantly reduced in NEC IL-18(-/-) mice compared with NEC WT. Furthermore, mean ileal macrophages and hepatic IL-1beta were significantly reduced in IL-18(-/-) mice subjected to the NEC protocol. There were no statistically significant changes in Kupffer cells, hepatic TNF-alpha, ileal IL-1beta, or IL-12. IkappaB-alpha and IkappaB-beta were significantly increased in NEC IL-18(-/-) mice ileum and liver, respectively. These results confirm that IL-18 plays a crucial role in experimental NEC pathogenesis.     

Branched chain fatty acids reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and alter gastrointestinal microbial ecology in a neonatal rat model

Introduction

Branched chain fatty acids (BCFA) are found in the normal term human newborn''s gut, deposited as major components of vernix caseosa ingested during late fetal life. We tested the hypothesis that premature infants'' lack of exposure to gastrointestinal (GI) BCFA is associated with their microbiota and risk for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) using a neonatal rat model.

Methods

Pups were collected one day before scheduled birth. The pups were exposed to asphyxia and cold stress to induce NEC. Pups were assigned to one of three experimental treatments. DF (dam-fed) ; Control, hand-fed rat milk substitute ; BCFA, hand-fed rat milk substitute with 20%w/w BCFA. Total fat was equivalent (11%wt) for both the Control and BCFA groups. Cecal microbiota were characterized by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing, and intestinal injury, ileal cytokine and mucin gene expression, interleukin-10 (IL-10) peptide immunohistochemistry, and BCFA uptake in ileum phospholipids, serum and liver were assessed.

Results

NEC incidence was reduced by over 50% in the BCFA group compared to the Control group as assessed in ileal tissue; microbiota differed among all groups. BCFA-fed pups harbored greater levels of BCFA-associated Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to Controls. Bacillus subtilis levels were five-fold greater in healthy pups compared to pups with NEC. BCFA were selectively incorporated into ileal phospholipids, serum and liver tissue. IL-10 expression increased three-fold in the BCFA group versus Controls and no other inflammatory or mucosal mRNA markers changed.

Conclusion

At constant dietary fat level, BCFA reduce NEC incidence and alter microbiota composition. BCFA are also incorporated into pup ileum where they are associated with enhanced IL-10 and may exert other specific effects.     

Hepatic cholesterol transport from plasma into bile: implications for gallstone disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The transhepatic traffic of cholesterol from plasma lipoproteins into the bile is critical for overall cholesterol homeostasis and its alterations may lead to cholesterol gallstone formation. This review summarizes recent progress in understanding the key hepatic cholesterol metabolism-related proteins and pathways that influence biliary secretion of cholesterol. RECENT FINDINGS: In cholesterol-fed apolipoprotein E knockout mice, the availability of dietary cholesterol for biliary disposal is decreased and diet-induced gallstone formation is impaired. Scavenger receptor class B type I is relevant for cholesterol transport from plasma HDL into the bile in chow-fed mice, however its expression is not critical for biliary cholesterol secretion and gallstone formation in lithogenic diet-fed mice. Intrahepatic cholesterol transport proteins (e.g. sterol carrier protein-2, Niemann Pick type C-1 protein) also determine liver cholesterol available for biliary secretion in mice. Genetic manipulation of canalicular ATP-binding cassette transporter G5 and G8 expression in mice has established their essential role for biliary cholesterol secretion. SUMMARY: Recent studies have underscored that different proteins involved in hepatic cholesterol transport regulate the availability of cholesterol for biliary secretion. These advances may provide new avenues for prevention and treatment of various disease conditions linked to abnormal cholesterol metabolism.     

双歧杆菌对新生大鼠坏死性小肠结肠炎肠损伤及肠细胞凋亡影响

目的探讨添加双歧杆菌对新生鼠坏死性小肠结肠炎(necrotizing enterocolitis,NEC)模型肠损伤的保护作用。方法 32只新生SD大鼠按析因设计随机分成4组,每组动物8只。A1B1组为NEC模型组并添加双歧杆菌(109CFU/d),A1B2组为NEC模型组,但未添加双歧杆菌;A2B1组为对照组并添加双歧杆菌(109CFU/d),A2B2组为对照组,且未添加双歧杆菌。在出生48 h开始给予鼠配方奶人工喂养,100%氮气缺氧90 s,4℃冷刺激10 min,每天2次,连续3 d,建立新生大鼠NEC模型;在最后1次缺氧、冷刺激后24 h空腹断头处死小鼠,解剖留取十二指肠下端至直肠上端肠道组织,其中,回盲部近端肠管进行病理学检查及肠损伤评分,组织学评分≥2为NEC,其余肠管进行肠细胞凋亡率检测及电镜观察。采用流式细胞仪检测肠细胞凋亡率。SPSS 11.0统计学软件进行统计分析,α=0.05为显著性检验标准。结果造模后,A1B1组、A1B2组相继出现腹泻、腹胀、生长发育减慢和活动度减少,显微镜下可见肠黏膜坏死、黏膜下层出血以及肌肉层坏死等肠损伤表现,透射电镜显示肠黏膜出现大量凋亡细胞,形成凋亡小体,但A1B1组程度较轻。A1B1、A1B2、A2B1和A2B24组肠损伤组织病理评分(x±s)分别为2.04±0.52、3.38±0.55、0.33±0.36和0.38±0.33,肠细胞凋亡率分别为(23.97±10.48)%、(47.28±21.98)%、(11.42±4.75)%和(12.16±4.95)%;各组间肠损伤组织评分、肠细胞凋亡率差异有显著统计学意义(H分别为26.657、20.916,P均0.01);与A1B2组相比,A1B1组新生鼠肠损伤组织评分、肠细胞凋亡率均明显降低,但仍高于A2B1、A2B22个对照组(P均0.01);肠组织损伤评分值、肠细胞凋亡率均受到NEC造模和添加双歧杆菌两个因素的影响,NEC造模与补充双歧杆菌之间均存在交互作用。结论添加双歧杆菌可以降低新生鼠NEC肠损伤程度,可能通过抑制肠上皮细胞凋亡,从而降低新生大鼠发生NEC危险性。     

Ketonic bile acids in urine of infants during the neonatal period

Ketonic bile acids have been found to be quantitatively important in urine of healthy infants during the neonatal period. In order to determine their structures, the bile acids in urine from 11 healthy infants were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLC-MS) and three samples with particularly high levels of ketonic bile acids were selected for detailed studies by ion exchange chromatography, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, microchemical reactions, and GLC-MS. The major ketonic bile acid was identified as 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-5 beta-chol-1-enoic acid, not previously described as a naturally occurring bile acid. The positional isomer 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholenoic acid, recently described as a major urinary bile acid in infants with severe liver diseases, was also excreted by most infants. Three acids related to cholic acid were identified: 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-, 3 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-oxo-, and 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-12-oxo-5 beta-cholanoic acids. Five bile acids having one oxo and three hydroxy groups were also present. Based on mass spectra and biological considerations two of these were tentatively given the structures 1 beta, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-3-oxo- and 1 beta, 3 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-7-oxo-5 beta-cholanoic acids. Some of the others had a hydroxy group at C-4 or C-2. The levels of ketonic bile acids were higher on the third than on the first day of life, and lower after 1 month. The formation and excretion especially of 3-oxo bile acids is proposed to result from changes of the redox state in the liver in connection with birth.     

Tumor necrosis factor receptor 1-dependent depletion of mucus in immature small intestine: a potential role in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in premature infants. NEC is believed to occur when intestinal bacteria invade the intestinal epithelial layer, causing subsequent inflammation and tissue necrosis. Mucins are produced and secreted by epithelial goblet cells as a key component of the innate immune system and barrier function of the intestinal tract that help protect against bacterial invasion. To better understand the role of mucins in NEC, we quantified the number of mucus-containing small intestinal goblet cells present in infants with NEC and found they had significantly fewer goblet cells and Paneth cells compared with controls. To test whether inflammation has a developmentally dependent effect on intestinal goblet cells, TNF-α was injected into mice at various stages of intestinal development. TNF-α caused a loss of mucus-containing goblet cells only in immature mice and induced Muc2 and Muc3 mRNA upregulation only in mature ileum. Only minimal changes were seen in apoptosis and in expression of markers of goblet cell differentiation. TNF-α increased small intestinal mucus secretion and goblet cell hypersensitivity to prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2)), a known mucus secretagogue produced by macrophages. These TNF-α-induced changes in mucus mRNA levels required TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2), whereas TNF-α-induced loss of mucus-positive goblet cells required TNFR1. Our findings of developmentally dependent TNF-α-induced alterations on intestinal mucus may help explain why NEC is predominantly found in premature infants, and TNF-α-induced alterations of the intestinal innate immune system and barrier functions may play a role in the pathogenesis of NEC itself.     

Fast flip-flop of cholesterol and fatty acids in membranes: implications for membrane transport proteins

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The rates by which unesterified fatty acids and cholesterol move through and desorb from membranes have been difficult to measure, in part because of the simple structures of these lipids but also because methods have generally not clearly distinguished the two steps of membrane transport. Lack of definitive knowledge has given rise to speculation about the mechanism(s) of membrane 'transport' proteins for fatty acids and cholesterol. RECENT FINDINGS: New biophysical and biochemical approaches have provided evidence that fatty acids and cholesterol exhibit rapid diffusion (flip-flop), as fast as milliseconds, across both protein-free phospholipid bilayers and cell membranes. In contrast, desorption of the cholesterol molecule from a membrane surface (hours) is much slower than that of common dietary fatty acids (milliseconds to seconds). SUMMARY: Knowledge of these properties provides a framework for understanding transport and metabolism of cholesterol and fatty acids and how their putative membrane and intracellular transporters might function.     

Active transport of amino acids by gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase through Caco-2 cell monolayers.

The possible role of the gamma-glutamyl cycle in the transport of amino acids, using the Caco-2 cell monolayer as an in vitro model of the small intestine, has been investigated. The transport of [2-3H]glycine and [2-3H]glycylglycine through the Caco-2 monolayer has been shown to occur by two modes of action. Active transport is unidirectional from apical to basolateral region and is a carrier mediated system. The enzyme gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase seems to be involved in this process, since when the enzyme is inhibited, the active transport is also inhibited. However transport still takes place, and this occurs by a slower non-active process, which is bidirectional and is mediated by passive diffusion. The rate of transport of [2-3H]glycylglycine and [2-3H]glycine were 585 (+/- 24) and 287 (+/- 16) pmolcm-2min-1 respectively, while the non-active transport takes place at 87 (+/- 6) pmolcm-2min-1. Thus, amino acid translocation in Caco-2 cells is shown to occur by two methods, one of which involves the gamma-glutamyl cycle.     

Motility of bile canaliculi in the living animal: implications for bile flow

Modern fluorescence microscopic techniques were used to image the bile canalicular system in the intact rat liver, in vivo. By combining the use of sodium fluorescein secretion into bile, with digitally enhanced fluorescence microscopy and time-lapse video, it was possible to capture and record the canalicular motility events that accompany the secretion of bile in life. Active bile canalicular contractions were found predominantly in zone 1 (periportal) hepatocytes of the liver. The contractile movements were repetitive, forceful, and appeared unidirectional moving bile in a direction towards the portal bile ducts. Contractions were not seen in the network of canaliculi on the surface of the liver. Cytochalasin B administration resulted in reduced canalicular motility, progressive dilation of zone 1 canaliculi, and impairment of bile flow. Canalicular dilations invariably involved the branch points of the canalicular network. The findings add substantively to previous in vitro studies using couplets, and suggest that canalicular contractions contribute physiologically to bile flow in the liver.     

Bile acid regulation of hepatic physiology: I. Hepatocyte transport of bile acids

Bile acids are cholesterol derivatives that serve as detergents in bile and the small intestine. Approximately 95% of bile acids secreted by hepatocytes into bile are absorbed from the distal ileum into the portal venous system. Extraction from the portal circulation by the hepatocyte followed by reexcretion into the bile canaliculus completes the enterohepatic circulation of these compounds. Over the past few years, candidate bile acid transport proteins of the sinusoidal and canalicular plasma membranes of the hepatocyte have been identified. The physiology of hepatocyte bile acid transport and its relationship to these transport proteins is the subject of this Themes article.     

Effects of secondary bile acids on the intrauterine development in rats

The effects of secondary bile acids (lithocholic--LCA, and deoxycholic--DCA) on the in vivo development of rat embryos and fetuses were studied. Daily intraperitoneal injections of 2 ml of 1 mM LCA and of 5 mM DCA during days 6 till 15 of pregnancy resulted in an increase of resorptions among 20 day-old fetuses to 22.8% and 9.9%, respectively, vs. 6.2% in controls. Similar injections on days 12 to 19 resulted in an increase of resorptions to 10.3% after treatment with LCA and to 36% after treatment with DCA. Percent of retarded embryos was similar for both bile acids: 7.7 and 8.7% after injections on days 6-15 and 12.3-12.5% after injections on days 12-19 of gestation. This was accompanied by a significant increase in the wet weight of the placenta of living embryos. Intraamniotic injections of 2 microliters of 1 mM LCA into 10 day-old embryos resulted in 18.5% resorptions (vs. 7.5% in controls), 9.2% malformations, and 3.1% growth retardations observed on day 12 of pregnancy. The rate of resorptions following this treatment increased on day 20 of pregnancy to 71% vs. 16% in controls. No differences were found in the wet weight of 20 day-old living fetuses or their livers and placentas between experimental and control groups following i.p. or intraamniotic injections. In addition, single intrauterine instillation of 0.2 ml of 1 mM LCA 10-14 days before mating with normal isogeneic males resulted in 9% of malformations among 12 day-old embryos while malformations were absent in the saline-injected controls. The deleterious effects of secondary bile acids to the embryos were accompanied by damage to the visceral yolk sac. These findings may be significant in relation to the complications previously associated with cholestasis of pregnancy in humans.     

Strain- and sex-dependent circadian changes in abcc2 transporter expression: implications for irinotecan chronotolerance in mouse ileum

Background

ATP-binding cassette transporter abcc2 is involved in the cellular efflux of irinotecan. The drug is toxic for mouse ileum, where abcc2 is highly expressed. Here, we investigate whether circadian changes in local abcc2 expression participate in the circadian rhythm of irinotecan toxicity for ileum mucosa, and further assess whether genetic background or sex modify this relation.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Ileum mucosa was obtained every 3–4 h for 24 h in male and female B6D2F₁ and B6CBAF₁ mice synchronized with light from Zeitgeber Time (ZT)0 to ZT12 alternating with 12 h of darkness. Irinotecan (50 mg/kg i.v. daily for 4 days) was administered at the sex- and strain-specific times corresponding to least (ZT11-15) or largest drug-induced body weight loss (ZT23-03-07). Abcc2 expression was determined with qRT-PCR for mRNA and with immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy for protein. Histopathologic lesions were graded in ileum tissues obtained 2, 4 or 6 days after treatment. Two- to six-fold circadian changes were demonstrated for mRNA and protein mean expressions of abcc2 in mouse ileum (p<0.05). ZT12 corresponded to high mRNA and protein expressions, with circadian waveforms differing according to genetic background and sex. The proportion of mice spared from ileum lesions varied three-fold according to irinotecan timing, with best tolerability at ZT11-15 (p = 0.00003). Irinotecan was also best tolerated in males (p = 0.05) and in B6CBAF₁ (p = 0.0006).

Conclusions/Significance

Strain- and sex-dependent circadian patterns in abcc2 expressions displayed robust relations with the chronotolerance of ileum mucosa for irinotecan. This finding has strong potential implications for improving the intestinal tolerability of anticancer drugs through circadian delivery.     

Platelet-activating factor induces TLR4 expression in intestinal epithelial cells: implication for the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units, however its pathogenesis is not completely understood. We have previously shown that platelet activating factor (PAF), bacteria and TLR4 are all important factors in the development of NEC. Given that Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed at low levels in enterocytes of the mature gastrointestinal tract, but were shown to be aberrantly over-expressed in enterocytes in experimental NEC, we examined the regulation of TLR4 expression and signaling by PAF in intestinal epithelial cells using human and mouse in vitro cell lines, and the ex vivo rat intestinal loop model. In intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) lines, PAF stimulation yielded upregulation of both TLR4 mRNA and protein expression and led to increased IL-8 secretion following stimulation with LPS (in an otherwise LPS minimally responsive cell line). PAF stimulation resulted in increased human TLR4 promoter activation in a dose dependent manner. Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis showed PAF induced STAT3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation in IEC, and PAF-induced TLR4 expression was inhibited by STAT3 and NFκB Inhibitors. Our findings provide evidence for a mechanism by which PAF augments inflammation in the intestinal epithelium through abnormal TLR4 upregulation, thereby contributing to the intestinal injury of NEC.     

Active transport of Ca2+ in bacteria: Bioenergetics and function

Summary The bioenergetics of Ca²⁺ transport in bacteria are discussed with special emphasis on the interrelationship between transport and other cellular functions such as substrate oxidation by the respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation. The unusual polarity of Ca²⁺ movement provides an exceptional tool to compare active transport and other ATP requiring or generating processes since this ion is actively taken up by everted vesicles in which the coupling-factor ATPase is exposed to the external medium. As inferred from studies with everted vesicles, the active extrusion of Ca²⁺ by whole cells can be accomplished by substrate driven respiration, hydrolysis of ATP or as in the case ofStreptococcus faecalis by a nonhydrolytic unknown process which involves ATP directly. Substrate oxidation and the hydrolysis of ATP result in the generation of a pH gradient which can energize the Ca²⁺ uptake directly (Ca²⁺/H⁺ antiport) or via a secondary Na⁺ gradient (Ca²⁺/Na⁺ antiport). In contrast to exponentially growing cells sporulating Bacilli accumulate Ca²⁺ during the synthesis of dipicolinic acid. Studies involving Ca²⁺ transport provided evidence in support of the hypothesis that the Mg²⁺ ATPase fromEscherichia coli not only provides the driving force for various cellular functions but exerts a regulatory role by controlling the permeability of the membrane to protons. The different specificity requirements of various naphthoquinone analogs in the restoration of transport or oxidative phosphorylation, after the natural menaquinone has been destroyed by irradiation, has indicated that a protonmotive force is sufficient to drive active transport. However, in addition to the driving force (protonmotive force) necessary to establish oxidative phosphorylation, a specific spatial orientation of the respiratory components, such as the naphthoquinones, is essential for the utilization of the proton gradient or membrane potential or both. Finally evidence suggesting that intracellular Ca²⁺ levels might play a fundamental role in bacterial homeostasis is discussed, in particular the role of Ca²⁺ in the process of chemiotaxis and in conferring bacteria heat stability. A vitamin K-dependent carboxylation reaction has been found inEscherichia coli which is similar to that reported in mammalian systems which results in γ carboxylation of glutamate residues. Although all of the proteins containing γ-carboxyglutamate described so far are involved in Ca²⁺ metabolism, the role of these proteins inEscherichia coli is unknown and remains to be elucidated. Dr. A. F. Brodie deceased on January 24, 1981.     

Modified somatostatins as inhibitors of a multispecific transport system for bile acids and phallotoxins in isolated hepatocytes

Somatostatin inhibits the uptake of phallotoxins and of cholic acid in isolated liver cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibition is independent on the preincubation period and fully reversed by switching to a somatostatin-free buffer. Concentrations needed for 50% inhibition decreased 30-80-fold when somatostatin was modified by variation of its amino acid sequence. Some cyclic hexa- or penta-peptides inhibited both kinds of transport more strongly as the original (14 amino acid) somatostatin did. Three of the analogs showed a 2-3-fold higher potency than the others. The most potent compound (cyclo (Phe-Thr-Lys-Trp-Phe-D-Pro) 1 was studied in detail. The IC50 for the initial uptake of phallotoxin (6 microM) or of cholate (6 microM) was 1.5 or 3 microM, respectively. 1 inhibited the uptake of cholate in a competitive manner. The inhibition was independent on the preincubation time, but in contrast to somatostatin not fully reversible after a preincubation of 35 min. Somatostatin as well as its analogs prevented binding of isothiocyanatobenzamido [3H]cholate (an affinity label of the cholate transporter) to isolated plasma membranes from rat liver. The transport inhibition of cholate uptake is unlikely to be a hormonal effect of somatostatin, because the concentrations needed are approx. 1000-fold higher than circulating levels; however, it is apparently possible to increase the inhibitory potency on the tested transport system by modification of the sequence without increase of the well-known hormonal effects (Designing Activity and Receptor-Selectivity in Cyclic Peptide Hormone Analogs, Kessler, H., 18th Ervag Conference, Brussels, 1983).