Cholinergic nerves mediate stress-induced intestinal transport abnormalities in Wistar-Kyoto rats

We have previously reported that acute stress alters intestinal transport physiology in Wistar-Kyoto rats, a stress-susceptible strain. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the abnormalities in these rats are due to cholinergic mechanisms. Atropine- or saline-treated rats were exposed to acute restraint stress, and, subsequently, electrophysiological parameters of excised jejunal segments were assessed in Ussing chambers. Compared with the parent Wistar rat strain, Wistar-Kyoto rats demonstrated significantly greater stress-induced changes in ion secretion and permeability. The activity of cholinesterase in intestinal mucosal homogenates was significantly less in Wistar-Kyoto than in Wistar rats. Atropine pretreatment of rats before stress corrected the epithelial pathophysiology. Our results suggest that stress stimulated the release of acetylcholine, resulting in altered epithelial function in these genetically predisposed rats.