Effects of theophylline on Na and alanine transport across isolated rabbit ileum

Addition of theophylline to isolated rabbit ileal mucosa resulted in a persistent increase in short-circuit current (SCC) and a persistent decrease in DC conductance. Under short-circuit condition, net Na flux (JNanet) was reversed by theophylline from absorption to secretion (-0.6 mueq/h cm2) and was due to a decrease in unidirectional mucosal- (M) toserosal (S) flux (JNams). Addition of L-alanine to theophylline-treated m-ucosa increased SCC, JNanet, and JNams. Theophylline reduced JAlanet by 25%. Na flux ratios, determined in the presence of theophylline at +26 and -11 mV (mucosal reference), differed from flux ratios expected for a diffusional process by less than 8%. In contrast, Na flux ratios, determined in the absence of theophylline and presence of glucose at +26 and O mV, differed from diffusional ratios by 35%. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that theophylline inhibits active Na absorption, but the data do not conclusively demonstrate the diffusional nature of unidirectional Na fluxes in the presence of theophylline.