SECRETORY RESPONSE TO CHOLERA-TOXIN IN THE PORCINE JEJUNUM UNDER DIFFERENT TYPES OF GENERAL-ANESTHESIA

Investigations of intestinal secretion are often performed under anaes thesia. This study evaluates the influence of anaesthetic agents on th e intestinal secretion induced by cholera toxin (CT) in the pig. CT wa s instilled for 4h in ligated jejunal loops under anaesthesia with hal othane, saffan, cr-chloralose, or propofol. Cardiovascular parameters, blood gas data, plasma cortisol levels, net fluid accumulation, intra luminal mediators (serotonin (5-HT), prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) and el ectrolyte concentrations in the accumulated fluid were determined. The systolic blood pressure and heart rate was highest for saffan-anaesth etized pigs (blood pressure: saffan > alpha-chloralose > propofol = ha lothane; heart rate: saffan > alpha-chloralose = propofol = halothane) , while blood gases and cortisol levels were within the same range. CT induced a dose-dependent fluid accumulation under all four anaestheti cs. The fluid accumulation was significantly higher in pigs treated wi th saffan, alpha-chloralose and propofol than in halothane-treated pig s (saffan = alpha-chloralose > propofol > halothane). There was no sig nificant difference in electrolyte concentrations in the accumulated f luid or in the luminal content of 5-HT and PGE(2) between anaesthetics . The results demonstrate that anaesthetic agents profoundly influence the secretory response in the small intestine and indicate the import ance of the choice of anaesthetic in this type of experiment.