LOPERAMIDE DOES NOT AFFECT THE PROSTAGLANDIN E(2) (PGE(2))-INDUCED ANTI-ABSORPTIVE EFFECT ON GLUCOSE IN THE SMALL-INTESTINAL LOOP OF SHEEP

This study was designed to clarify whether the anti-absorptive effects of PGE(2) on glucose were associated with hypersecretion induced by P GE(2). Loperamide, which is known to prevent PGE(2)-induced secretion in the intestine and to have an antidiarrhoeal action, was used for bl ocking the PGE(2)-induced secretory response. Loperamide significantly increased the basal net absorption of water, sodium, and chloride, an d decreased those secretory responses to PGE(2). However, loperamide d id not change the basal glucose absorption and did not improve the inh ibition of glucose absorption induced by PGE(2). These results suggest that PGE(2) can inhibit glucose absorption by a different mechanism f rom that which produces the secretory effect. In conclusion, these res ults indicate that loperamide induces the antisecretory effect by an i ncrease in sodium and chloride absorption in the small intestine of sh eep, bur does not affect the anti-absorptive effect of PGE(2) on gluco se.