Biomaterial Database

The effect of colitis on large-intestinal electrolyte transport in early childhood. 1993

H R Jenkins, and P J Milla

Institute of Child Health, London, England.

The large intestine plays an important role in the salvage of electrolytes and water, although little is known of its function in early childhood in health or in disease. Using an in vitro voltage clamp technique, we have measured bidirectional sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) fluxes (J), electrical potential difference (PD), short circuit current (Isc), and tissue resistance (R) in 10 pairs of healthy human infant left colon and four pairs of inflamed colon. In healthy tissue there was net Na and Cl absorption with JNa net approximating Isc. In contrast, inflamed colon exhibited significant reductions in PD, Isc, and R and increases in net serosa to mucosa flux of Na and Cl (JNasm and JClsm) resulting in net Na and Cl secretion. These results suggest that Na and Cl absorption in left colon is highly efficient in young children and that mucosal inflammation may seriously impair the colon's ability to conserve salt and water.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007223	Infant	A child between 1 and 23 months of age.	Infants
D002713	Chlorine	An element with atomic symbol Cl, atomic number 17, and atomic weight 35, and member of the halogen family.	Chlorine Gas,Chlorine-35,Cl2 Gas,Chlorine 35,Gas, Chlorine,Gas, Cl2
D003092	Colitis	Inflammation of the COLON section of the large intestine (INTESTINE, LARGE), usually with symptoms such as DIARRHEA (often with blood and mucus), ABDOMINAL PAIN, and FEVER.	Colitides
D003106	Colon	The segment of LARGE INTESTINE between the CECUM and the RECTUM. It includes the ASCENDING COLON; the TRANSVERSE COLON; the DESCENDING COLON; and the SIGMOID COLON.	Appendix Epiploica,Taenia Coli,Omental Appendices,Omental Appendix,Appendices, Omental,Appendix, Omental
D003968	Diarrhea, Infantile	DIARRHEA occurring in infants from newborn to 24-months old.	Infantile Diarrhea,Diarrheas, Infantile,Infantile Diarrheas
D004573	Electrolytes	Substances that dissociate into two or more ions, to some extent, in water. Solutions of electrolytes thus conduct an electric current and can be decomposed by it (ELECTROLYSIS). (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Electrolyte
D004594	Electrophysiology	The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D006627	Hirschsprung Disease	Congenital MEGACOLON resulting from the absence of ganglion cells (aganglionosis) in a distal segment of the LARGE INTESTINE. The aganglionic segment is permanently contracted thus causing dilatation proximal to it. In most cases, the aganglionic segment is within the RECTUM and SIGMOID COLON.	Aganglionosis, Colonic,Colonic Aganglionosis,Megacolon, Congenital,Aganglionic Megacolon,Aganglionosis, Rectosigmoid Colon,Aganglionosis, Total Colonic,Congenital Intestinal Aganglionosis,Congenital Megacolon,Hirschsprung's Disease,Megacolon, Aganglionic,Rectosigmoid Aganglionosis,Total Colonic Aganglionosis,Aganglionosis, Rectosigmoid,Disease, Hirschsprung,Disease, Hirschsprung's,Hirschsprungs Disease,Rectosigmoid Colon Aganglionosis
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001006	Anus, Imperforate	A congenital abnormality characterized by the persistence of the anal membrane, resulting in a thin membrane covering the normal ANAL CANAL. Imperforation is not always complete and is treated by surgery in infancy. This defect is often associated with NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS; MENTAL RETARDATION; and DOWN SYNDROME.	Anal Atresia,Atresia, Anal,Anal Atresias,Atresias, Anal,Imperforate Anus