A number of diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract are characterized by the dysregulation of ion and fluid transport resulting in diarrhea or constipation. Over the past fifty years, a plethora of studies have focused on possible mechanisms and treatments for these abnormalities. Ion transport in the colon has been a target of particular interest. It was recognized early on that ammonium (NH4+) in colonic effluent far exceeded that of systemic NH4+ concentration and that, in cases of liver failure, systemic NH4+ levels could exceed toxic concentrations. Although colonic absorption of NH4+ is widely recognized, the possibility of regulated ammonia (NH3) / NH4+ transport in the colon has received little attention, this despite the fact that such transport does occur in a number of epithelia exposed to a high NH4+ environment. Moreover, the effects of relative high and variable NH4+ in the colonic lumen on the balance ion and fluid transport are poorly understood. This proposal will address: 1) Expression pattern and functional role of Rhesus Associated Glycoprotein NH4+ transporters along the colon, 2) The non-RhG mediated mechanisms of secretory transport of NH3 / NH4+ in the colon, 3) Regulation of NH3/NH4+ secretion. This project will focus primarily on NH3/NH4+ transport mechanisms within the colon using the colonic cell line, T84 and mouse distal colon as models. Vectorial NH3/NH4+ transport will be accessed by unidirectional flux assay under a variety of conditions. The physiological importance of NH4+ transport mechanisms and similarity to known renal and fish gill transport mechanisms will be accessed using mouse colon. At present the mechanisms of intestinal NH3/NH4+ transport are ill defined and poorly understood, this despite the well known impact of portal vein NH4+ concentration in the development of hyperammonemia in liver disease. A better understanding of NH4+ transport mechanisms and regulation will be of significant potential in the development of more efficient treatments of secretory dysregulation and hepatic associated hyperammonemia.

Public Health Relevance

Increased levels of blood ammonia can cause brain malfunction, referred to as hyperammonemia induced encephalopathy which if left untreated can become life threatening. Liver disease is often the cause of hyperammonemia, however current treatment regimes which may have uncomfortable or severe side effects are targeted to the intestine in an effort to minimize ammonia absorption. The long term goal of this project is to provide improved treatment for hyperammonemia.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK079979-04
Application #
8120274
Study Section
Clinical and Integrative Gastrointestinal Pathobiology Study Section (CIGP)
Program Officer
Grey, Michael J
Project Start
2008-08-01
Project End
2013-07-31
Budget Start
2011-08-01
Budget End
2012-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$267,568
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Cincinnati
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041064767
City
Cincinnati
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
45221
Shawki, Ali; Engevik, Melinda A; Kim, Robert S et al. (2016) Intestinal brush-border Na+/H+ exchanger-3 drives H+-coupled iron absorption in the mouse. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 311:G423-30
Engevik, Melinda A; Engevik, Kristen A; Yacyshyn, Mary Beth et al. (2015) Human Clostridium difficile infection: inhibition of NHE3 and microbiota profile. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 308:G497-509
Engevik, Melinda A; Yacyshyn, Mary Beth; Engevik, Kristen A et al. (2015) Human Clostridium difficile infection: altered mucus production and composition. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 308:G510-24
Engevik, Melinda A; Aihara, Eitaro; Montrose, Marshall H et al. (2013) Loss of NHE3 alters gut microbiota composition and influences Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron growth. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 305:G697-711
Engevik, Melinda A; Hickerson, Annelies; Shull, Gary E et al. (2013) Acidic conditions in the NHE2(-/-) mouse intestine result in an altered mucosa-associated bacterial population with changes in mucus oligosaccharides. Cell Physiol Biochem 32:111-28