Cationophore properties of the new polyether antibiotic Salinomycin investigated in distal rabbit colon in vivo and in vitro

The distal rabbit colon was used as a model to investigate the influence of the cationophore Salinomycin in vivo with a single-pass perfusion, and in vitro with a modified Ussing chamber technique. For in vivo experiments with labelled 14C-PEG as a volume marker in the perfusate, a dose of 10E-4 mol/l Salinomycin was used. Net water (53 microliters/h/cm), net chloride (3 mumol/h/cm) and net sodium (3.6 mumol/h/cm) absorption was not significantly influenced, but net potassium secretion (-3 mumol/h/cm) was decreased to zero and transepithelial potential (PD) reduced from -45 mV to -33 mV. 10E-4 mol/l Salinomycin, applied in vitro on the muscosal side, decreased PD in 80 min and 10E-3 mol/l in 30 min from 18 mV to zero. Both concentrations decreased the short-circuit current (Isc = 77 microA/cm2) in 60 min, respectively 30 min to 40 microA/cm2. After 60 min mucosal 10E-4 mol/l Salinomycin the Isc increased, resulting from a transepithelial conductance (Gt) increase from 3 to 40 mS/cm2. A dose-related effect was present on PD, Isc and Gt at concentrations between 10E-7 and 10E-6 mol/l. The unidirectional 22Na fluxes were increased to 20 times the control values and net Na transport disappeared. We conclude that Salinomycin when applied in usual doses (10E-4 mol/l) as a coccidiostatic feed additive, profoundly affects colonic electrolyte transport.     

Adaptation of electrolytes and fluid transport in rat small and large intestine after distal small bowel resection

Na+, Cl- and water transport were studied in jejunum, caecum and colon after either 50% or 80% of small bowel resection (SBR). Four weeks after surgery, dry and wet weights, net absorption in vivo of sodium, chloride and water were determined. There was a significant intestinal growth after 50% or 80% SBR except for the colon which only showed increased tissue mass after 80% SBR. Net transport was stimulated both, per organ and per unit mass. In the small intestine and caecum both organ growth and changes in cell function appear to be involved in the adaptive response, regardless the extent of the small intestine resected. In the colon, compensatory growth appear to contribute to the adaptive response only after 80% SBR, whilst the transport function of the colonocytes seems to be stimulated after both types of SBR.     

Changes in lipid parameters after intestinal resection or bypass in the rat.

Intestinal resection, bypass and adaptative postoperative mechanisms developed as a consequence of that surgery, are considered good methods for improving knowledge of gastrointestinal physiology as well as possible effects that the intestine could have on the general metabolism. 50% jejunoileal bypass (BP), 50% proximal (PR) and distal (DR) intestinal resections were performed on rats to compare the influence of resected intestinal segments or bypassed loop localization could exert on different serum lipid parameters. One month after surgery significant increases in total serum cholesterol and cholesterol esters were found. There was no change in free cholesterol. A decrease in triglyceride was observed after distal and proximal resection but no changes after bypass. The cholesterol/phospholipid ratio was increased after resection and after bypass. It has been suggested that the changes in lipid metabolism produced after resections and bypass depend mainly on the loss of absorptive surface rather than on the position of the resected segment. The bypass loop may itself still exert some influence on lipoprotein metabolism, mainly on high density lipoprotein-cholesterol.     

Corticosteroid regulation of Na+ and K+ transport in the rat distal colon during postnatal development

To study the role of corticosteroids in the regulation of colonic electrogenic amiloride-sensitive Na+ absorption (ISCNa) and barium-sensitive K+ secretion (ISCK) during development, we investigated suckling (10-day old), weanling (25-day old) and adult (90-day old) adrenalectomized rats after they had received aldosterone, dexamethasone or corticosterone. Adrenalectomy reduced markedly ISCNa in suckling rats and completely inhibited ISCNa in weanling animals; the ISCNa was absent in intact adult rats. The doses of aldosterone, corticosterone and dexamethasone estimated to be equivalent to the endogenous production rate of aldosterone and corticosterone restored ISCNa after 1 day in both suckling and weanling rats. Compared with aldosterone, glucocorticoids produced a greater increase in ISCNa. Concurrent spironolactone treatment (a mineralocorticoid antagonist) completely prevented the effect of aldosterone but had no effect in dexamethasone-treated rats. The glucocorticoid antagonist RU 38 486 inhibited the dexamethasone-induction of ISCNa but had no effect on aldosterone. The response to corticosteroids, measured as the increase of ISCNa, declined from suckling to adult rats. In contrast to ISCNa, the same time of treatment and the same doses of corticosteroids did not influence ISCK. ISCK was stimulated only after chronic treatment (4 days). These findings suggest that, in the distal colon of young rats, (1) both corticosteroids may regulate amiloride-sensitive Na+ absorption and barium-sensitive K+ secretion, (2) different receptors mediate the colonic effects of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, (3) immature rats are more sensitive to corticosteroids than adult animals, and (4) the acute effect of corticosteroids is an increase in Na+ absorption which is followed by delayed stimulation of K+ secretion.     

Leucine absorption after jejunoileal bypass in rats

Jejunal and ileal absorption of L-leucine has been studied in rats subjected to jejunoileal bypass and in sham-operated rats, for five minute periods, using a perfusion technique. Aminoacid concentrations were: 1, 2.5, 5, 10 and 25 mM. In some experiments methionine was added to determine simple diffusion. The ratio of the active/diffusive components of absorption were calculated at the different luminal aminoacid concentrations in both groups of rats, showing that this ratio was lower in control animals.     

Effects of short chain fatty acids on colonic Na+ absorption and enzyme activity

Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) stimulate colonic Na+ absorption and inhibit cAMP and cGMP-mediated Cl- secretion. It is uncertain whether SCFA have equivalent effects on absorption and whether SCFA inhibition of Cl- secretion involves effects on mucosal enzymes. Unidirectional Na+ fluxes were measured across stripped colonic segments in the Ussing chamber. Enzyme activity was measured in cell fractions of scraped colonic mucosa. Mucosal 50 mM acetate, propionate, butyrate and poorly metabolized isobutyrate stimulated proximal colon Na+ absorption equally (300%). Neither 2-bromo-octanoate, an inhibitor of beta-oxidation, nor carbonic anhydrase inhibition affected this stimulation. All SCFA except acetate stimulated distal colon Na+ absorption 200%. Only one SCFA affected proximal colon cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) (18% inhibition by 50 mM butyrate). All SCFA at 50 mM stimulated distal colon cAMP PDE (24-43%) and decreased forskolin-stimulated mucosal cAMP content. None of the SCFA affected forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase in distal colon or ST(a)-stimulated guanylyl cyclase in proximal colon. Na+-K+-ATPase in distal colon was inhibited 23-51% by the SCFA at 50 mM. We conclude that all SCFA (except acetate in distal colon) stimulate colonic Na+ absorption equally, and the mechanism does not involve mucosal SCFA metabolism or carbonic anhydrase. SCFA inhibition of cAMP-mediated secretion may involve SCFA stimulation of PDE and inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase.     

Effect of resection of small intestine on the interaction of vasoactive intestinal peptide with rat colonic epithelial cells

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors and VIP-dependent cyclic AMP production were studied in rat colonic epithelial cells 3 days after a 60% resection of the small intestine. Basal cyclic AMP levels were similar in both control and resected animals. The potency, but not the efficiency, of the peptide on the stimulation of cyclic AMP production was diminished in cells from resected rats. Accordingly, the affinity of VIP receptors, but not the binding capacity, decreased as a consequence of the loss of a part of the small intestinal mucosa. These observations are consistent with the known inhibitory role of cyclic AMP on cell proliferation in colonic epithelium and other tissues and suggest a participation of VIP acting through the cyclic nucleotide in the compensatory hyperproliferative response of the colon following massive resection of the small intestine.     

Study of acute pharmacologic effects of prolactin on calcium and water transport in the rat colon by an in vivo perfusion technique

We investigated the acute effect of intraperitoneally administered prolactin on calcium and water transport in colon of sexually mature female Wistar rats using an in vivo perfusion technique. Test solution containing (in mM) NaCl, 100; KCl, 4.7; MgSO4, 1.2; CaCl2, 20; D-glucose, 11; sodium ferrocyanide (Na4Fe(CN)6), an index of net water transport, 20; and 0.7 (microCi 45CaCl2 (1 Ci = 37 GBq) was perfused througth the 8-cm colonic loop for 60 min at perfusion rates of 0.5 or 1.0 mL x min(-1). Calcium and water transport was also studied under a no flow condition to stimulate the condition often found in the colon by in vivo ligated colonic loop for 30 min. Control results showed no correlation between calcium transport and water flux. Flow of luminal solution at 0.5 and 1.0 mL x min(-1) was found to reverse net calcium absorption from 0.04+/-0.01 nmol x g(-1) dry weight x h(-1) to net calcium secretion of 0.04+/-0.04 and 0.9+/-0.02 nmol x g(-1) dry weight x h(-1), respectively. Neither 0.4, 0.6, nor 1.0 mg x kg(-1) prolactin had any effect on calcium fluxes in the colon. On the other hand, at a perfusion rate of 1 mL x min(-1), 0.4 mg x kg(-1) prolactin significantly decreased net water absorption from 3.86+/-0.90 to 0.88+/-0.64 mL x g(-1) dry weight x h(-1) (P < 0.001), and the higher doses of 0.6 and 1.0 mg x kg(-1) prolactin reversed net water absorption to net water secretion of 2.20+/-0.63 and 2.33+/-0.89 mL x g(-1) dry weight x h(-1), respectively (P < 0.001). The stimulatory effect of prolactin on water transport was completely abolished by reducing the perfusion rate from 1.0 mL x min(-1) to zero. The stimulatory effect of prolactin on water secretion at perfusion rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1) was also abolished when luminal [Na+] was reduced from 180 to 80 mM. We concluded that, unlike in the small intestine, calcium fluxes in the colon are not related to water transport and did not respond at all to prolactin. Water transport, on the other hand, was reversed from net absorption to secretion by prolactin. We propose that this prolactin-induced water secretion is probably mediated by recycling of luminal sodium in the vicinity of tight junctions.     

Epithelial cell kinetics in the descending colon of the rat

The influence of experimental bypass on the epithelial cell kinetics in the rat descending colon was studied. It was found that the number of cells per crypt was markedly reduced at 6 weeks after bypass. The percentage of labelled crypt cells, 1 h after 3HTdR, and the distribution of labelled cells in the crypt was normal. Also the life span of the epithelial cells was the same in control and bypassed colon. The response of crypt cell proliferation to ischaemia-induced cell loss in the bypassed descending colon was similar to the one previously described for normal descending colon. This indicates that the absence of the normal luminal contents does not result in a different response of colonic crypts to induced cell loss. Furthermore, it was found that the number of cells per crypt and the proliferative activity did not change in the transverse colon after temporary ischaemia of the bypassed descending colon. This indicates that the increase in crypt cell proliferation after ischaemia-induced cell loss is a local response.     

Increased colonic sodium absorption in rats with chronic renal failure is partially mediated by AT1 receptor agonism

To test the hypothesis that colonic Na(+) transport is altered in the 5/6 nephrectomized rat model of chronic renal failure (CRF), we measured Na(+) fluxes across distal colon from control (CON), CRF, and CRF rats treated with the angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor antagonist losartan (+LOS). We also evaluated overall fluid and Na(+) balance and compared colonic protein and mRNA expression profiles for electroneutral [sodium-hydrogen exchanger (NHE)] and electrogenic Na(+) transport [epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)] in these groups. Consistent with a 60% enhancement in colonic Na(+) absorption in CRF, urinary Na(+) excretion increased by about 50% while serum Na(+) homeostasis was maintained. These CRF-induced changes in Na(+) handling were normalized by treatment with LOS. Net Na(+) absorption was also stimulated in in vitro tissues from CON rats following acute serosal addition of ANG II (10(-7) M), and this increase was blocked by AT(1) antagonism but not by an AT(2) antagonist. In CRF, colonic protein and mRNA expression variably increased for apical NHE2, NHE3, and ENaC alpha-, beta-, gamma-subunits, whereas expression of basolateral NHE1 and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase (alpha-isoform) remained unaltered. Upregulation of the ENaC subunit mRNA was attenuated somewhat by LOS treatment. Previously, we showed that colonic AT(1) receptor protein is upregulated twofold in CRF, and here we find that AT(1) and AT(2) mRNA and AT(2) protein abundance is unchanged in CRF. We conclude that Na(+) absorption in CRF rat distal colon is increased due to elevated expression of proteins mediating electroneutral and electrogenic uptake and that it is partially mediated by AT(1) receptors.     

Aldosterone induction of electrogenic sodium transport in the apical membrane vesicles of rat distal colon

Na-H exchange is present in apical membrane vesicles (AMV) isolated from distal colon of normal rats. Because in intact tissue aldosterone both induces amiloride-sensitive electrogenic sodium transport and inhibits electroneutral sodium absorption, these studies with AMV were designed to establish the effect of aldosterone on sodium transport. An outward-directed proton gradient stimulated 22Na uptake in AMV isolated from distal colon of normal and dietary sodium depleted (with elevated aldosterone levels) experimental rats. Unlike normal AMV, proton gradient-dependent 22Na uptake in experimental AMV was inhibited when uptake was measured under voltage-clamped conditions. 10 microM amiloride inhibited the initial rate of proton gradient-dependent 22Na uptake in AMV of normal and experimental rats by 30 and 75%, respectively. In contrast, 1 mM amiloride produced comparable inhibition (90 and 80%) of 22Na uptake in normal and experimental AMV. Intravesicular-negative potential stimulated 22Na uptake in experimental but not in normal AMV. This increase was inhibited by 90% by 10 microM amiloride. An analogue of amiloride, 5-(N-ethylisopropyl) amiloride (1 microM), a potent inhibitor of electroneutral Na-H exchange in AMV of normal rat distal colon, did not alter potassium diffusion potential-dependent 22Na uptake. Increasing sodium concentration saturated proton gradient-dependent 22Na uptake in normal AMV. However, in experimental AMV, 22Na uptake stimulated by both proton gradient and potassium diffusion potential did not saturate as a function of increasing sodium concentration. We conclude from these results that an electrically sensitive conductive channel, not electroneutral Na-H exchange, mediates 22Na uptake in AMV isolated from the distal colon of aldosterone rats.     

Control of glutamine synthesis in rat liver

1. On perfusion of livers from fed rats with a semi-synthetic medium containing no added amino acids there is a rapid release of glutamine during the first 15min (15.6+/-0.8mumol/h per g wet wt.; mean+/-s.e.m. of 35 experiments), followed by a low linear rate of production (3.6+/-0.3mumol/h per g wet wt.; mean+/-s.e.m. of three experiments). The rapid initial release can be accounted for as wash-out of preexisting intracellular glutamine. 2. Addition of readily permeating substrates, or substrate combinations, giving rise to intracellular glutamate or ammonia, or both, did not appreciably increase the rate of glutamine production over the endogenous rate. The maximum rate obtained was from proline plus alanine; even then the rate represented less than one-fortieth of the capacity of glutamine synthetase measured in vitro. 3. Complete inhibition of respiration in the perfusions [no erythrocytes in the medium; 1mm-cyanide; N(2)+CO(2) (95:5) in the gas phase] or perfusion with glutamine synthetase inhibitors [l-methionine dl-sulphoximine; dl-(+)-allo-delta-hydroxylysine] abolishes the low linear rate of glutamine synthesis, but not the initial rapid release of glutamine. 4. In livers from 48h-starved rats initial release (0-15min) of glutamine was decreased (10.6+/-1.1mumol/h per g wet wt.; mean+/-s.e.m. of 11 experiments) and the subsequent rate of glutamine production was lower than in livers from fed rats. Again proline plus alanine was the only substrate combination giving an increase significantly above the endogenous rate. 5. The rate of glutamine synthesis de novo by the liver is apparently unrelated to the tissue content of glutamate or ammonia. 6. The blood glutamine concentration is increased by 50% within 1h of elimination of the liver from the circulation of rats in vivo. 7. There is an output of glutamine by the brain under normal conditions; the mean arterio-venous difference for six rats was 0.023mumol/ml. 8. The high potential activity of liver glutamine synthetase appears to be inhibited by some unknown mechanism: the function of the liver under normal conditions is probably the disposal of glutamine produced by extrahepatic tissues.     

大鼠脑室内注射ANGⅡ和ANGⅡ抗体对尿钠排出和肾皮质...

In anesthetized rats, it was observed that intracerebroventricular (I.C.V.) microinjection of angiotensin II (ANG II) in a dose of 16 pg evoked a significant increase in renal sodium excretion which began within 15 min and lasted for 90 min. The activity of Na+.K(+)-ATPase in renal cortex after I.C.V. microinjection of ANG II (1.51 +/- 0.26 mumol Pi/mg Pro.h) was inhibited as compared with that of the control injecting of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (2.66 +/- 0.28 mumol Pi/mg Pro.h, P less than 0.01). There was no change in mean arterial pressure. Within 15 min after I.C.V. administration of ANG II antibody, however, and antinatriuretic period of 135 min and a higher activity of Na+.K(+)-ATPase in renal cortex (3.61 +/- 0.34 mumol Pi/mg Pro.h, P less than 0.05 compared with control) were observed. There was no natriuresis in the animals microinjected with ANG II either into femoral vein or into spinal subarachnoid space. The result of the present investigation suggests that brain endogenous ANG II may possess some natriuretic activity possibly through inhibiting renal Na+.K(+)-ATPase activity.     

Intestinal transport of potassium. Effects of changing apical and basolateral influx of sodium in the isolated mucosa of the hen (Gallus domesticus) colon

1. Net potassium secretion (JKnet) by the sodium-depleted hen's colon (low sodium colon) is 0.17 +/- 0.07 mumol/cm2.hr. Amiloride or ouabain eliminates short circuit currents (Isc) of 16-20 mumol/cm2.hr without affecting JKsm. 2. In the NaCl-loaded hen's colon (high sodium colon) stimulating Isc by (a) glucose, (b) amino acids, and inhibiting with (c) ouabain changes JKnet from 0.08 +/- 0.04 to (a) 0.42 +/- 0.07, to (b) 0.60 +/- 0.07 to (c) 0.13 +/- 0.13 mumol/cm2.hr. 3. In both colonic types theophylline increases and bumetanide decreases JKnet by 1 mumol/cm2.hr. 4. Conclusion: Apical membranes of sodium-absorbing and chloride-secreting cells of the high sodium colon are potassium permeable. In the low sodium colon sodium-absorbing cells have potassium-impermeable apical membranes.     

The effect of vanadate on glucose transport and metabolism in rat small intestine

The effect of sodium orthovanadate on the absorption, transmural transport and metabolism of glucose was studied by perfusion of isolated loops of rat jejunum in vitro. The presence of 1 mM vanadate in the serosal medium diminished absorption from 539 +/- 19 (n = 12) to 246 +/- 19 (P less than 0.001) mumol/h per g dry weight and transmural transport from 333 +/- 17 to 14 +/- 19 (P less than 0.001) mumol/h per g dry weight, whereas glucose utilisation was unaffected. The rate of release of lactate into the serosal medium was also diminished from 168 +/- 14 to 75 +/- 5 mumol/h per g dry weight (P less than 0.001). The observed rates were linear with respect to time and vanadate was effective within 5 min. In contrast, the rate of release of lactate into the luminal perfusate was strongly enhanced. Moreover, the progress curve showed a positive transient with an apparent lag time of 18.0 +/- 0.3 min, during which the rate increased to a value 9.2-times that of the control. Under the final steady-state conditions, the ratio of mucosal to serosal lactate production was 5.2 +/- 0.2 compared with 0.25 +/- 0.06 for the control, so that the effect of vanadate was to reverse the vectorial disposition of lactate. The concentration dependence of the effect of vanadate on absorption and metabolism was similar to that observed for the inhibition by vanadate of Na+/K+-ATPase activity in mucosal homogenates. The results are discussed in terms of the dissipation of transmembrane Na+ gradients as a result of the inhibition of the Na+/K+-ATPase.     

SCFA increase intestinal Na absorption by induction of NHE3 in rat colon and human intestinal C2/bbe cells

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), produced by colonic bacterial flora fermentation of dietary carbohydrates, promote colonic Na absorption through mechanisms not well understood. We hypothesized that SCFA promote increased expression of apical membrane Na/H exchange (NHE), serving as luminal physiological cues for regulating colonic Na absorptive capacity. Studies were performed in human colonic C2/bbe (C2) monolayers and in vivo. In C2 cells exposed to butyrate, acetate, proprionate, or the poorly metabolized SCFA isobutyrate, apical membrane NHE3 activity and protein expression increased in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, whereas no changes were observed for NHE2. In contrast, no significant changes in brush-border hydrolase or villin expression were noted. Analogous to the in vitro findings, rats fed the soluble fiber pectin exhibited a time-dependent increase in colonic NHE3, but not NHE2, protein, mRNA, and brush-border activity. These changes were region-specific, as no changes were observed in the ileum. We conclude that luminal SCFA are important physiological cues for regulating colonic Na absorptive function, allowing the colon to adapt to chronic changes in dietary carbohydrate and Na loads.     

Capsaicin-sensitive mechanisms in the modulation of rat colonic vascular permeability under physiological and pathological conditions

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes a prolonged life-quality reduction of patients and high costs for health services. The aim of this study was to explore the possible involvement of peptidergic capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves (CSN) in the pathogenesis of IBD. For the defunctionalization of colonic CSN, the lower part of the colon (1–4 cm from the anus) was exposed through a midline laparotomy and small pieces of gelfoam moistened with a solution of capsaicin (1%, 100 μL) was applied onto the serosal surface for 30 min in male Wistar rats. Colonic vascular permeability was assessed by measuring the extravasation of [¹²⁵I] human serum albumin (2 μCi/kg, iv, 2 h prior to killing). Two months after capsaicin treatment a significant increase in albumin extravasation was found in the lower (P < 0.005), but not in the upper (5–8 cm from the anus) part of the colon as compared to the sham-operated control. Intrarectal (8 cm from anus) administration of trinitrobenzene-sulphonic acid (TNBS; 30 mg/rat) induced similar plasma leakage in the lower and upper colon of control (CSN-intact) rats (P < 0.001) 1 week later. TNBS + ethanol (50%) produced further extravasation throughout the colon (P < 0.001) of CSN-intact animals. In the lower colon of capsaicin-pretreated rats TNBS-alone provoked an increase in plasma extravasation (P < 0.001) similar to that caused by TNBS + ethanol in CSN-intact rats. In the upper colon there was no difference in the effect of TNBS-alone on plasma leakage between control (CSN-intact) and CSN-depleted rats. The results suggest that capsaicin-sensitive nerves may play a significant protective/anti-inflammatory role in the colon under normal and pathological conditions.     

The mechanism of large, excitation-dependent influx of 45Ca in the guinea-pig ventricular myocardium

In the previous papers (Lewartowski et al. 1982; Pytkowski et al. 1983) we found that excitation-dependent uptake of 45Ca (EDU) ranges in the vascularly perfused guinea-pig ventricular myocardium from 40-359 mumol/kg of wet weight per single steady-state beat or post-rest beat. The present paper describes an attempt to find whether slow calcium channel or Na/Ca exchange provides the route of this large 45Ca influx. We found that EDU during steady-state stimulation (60/min) was completely blocked by both D-600 (1 mg/l) and Ni (2 mmol/l) whereas EDU in post-rest beats was blocked only by Ni. Low Na+ perfusion (50 mmol/l) increased transiently EDU in steady-state beats. This surplus EDU was not blocked by D-600 nor by Ni. Noradrenaline infused at the rate sufficient to increase contractile force by 50% at least doubled EDU both in the steady-state and in post-rest beats. It is proposed that Na/Ca exchange does not participate significantly to EDU under physiological conditions. The changes in this uptake evoked by the applied interventions could be expected if its route was provided by the slow Ca channel.     

Na超负荷与Na／H交换的关系—在等容收缩离体大鼠心脏...

Thirty min after stabilization perfusion with oxygenated buffer, hearts were divided in four groups: (1) Control group: 75 min. of aerobic perfusion; (2) Low flow anoxia group: 45 min. of low flow anoxic perfusion (95% N2:5%CO2, 0.15 ml/min.) followed by 30 min. of aerobic perfusion; (3) Ouabain group: protocol same as (2), except that ouabain (200 mumol/L) was added to anoxic perfusate during low flow anoxia; (4) Ouabain+Amiloride group: protocol same as (3) except that amiloride (0.5 mmol/I) was added to perfusate during low flow anoxia. Compared with the low flow anoxia group, ouabain resulted in an additional increase in Na during reperfusion accompanied with a depressed ventricular function. The deleterious effects of ouabain could be significantly combatted by amiloride. It is concluded that a decrease in Na/K ATPase activity may contribute to Na gain in reperfused myocardium, the mechanism of which might result from stimulation of Na/H exchange.