Electrogenic ion transport in duodenum, an aid in cystic fibrosis diagnosis

Background: Abnormality in chloride transport across epithelial tissues is a basic defect in cystic fibrosis (CF). Our aim was to compare the induced chloride secretion in duodenum in CF patients with different mutations. Met hods: Duodenal biopsies from 9 patients were investigated in a modified Uss ing chamber and the secretory response to prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) and ac etylcholine (ACh) were measured. Results: PGE(2) and ACh induced no changes in chloride secretion in the Delta F508 homozygotes. In heterozygotes the induced change in chloride secretion corresponded to the severity of the kn own mutations. Conclusion: The secretory response in duodenum in CF is infl uenced by the patients genotype and mainly related to sweat chloride secret ion.