Decreased Transmural Potential Difference across the Human Rectum in Ulcerative Colits

Abstract

Rask-Madsen, J. & Dalmark, M. 1973. Decreased Transmural Potential Difference across the Human Rectum in Ulcerative Colitis. Scand. j. Gastroent. 8, 321-326.

The electrical potential difference (PD) across the rectal wall was measured in 53 healthy subjects and in 31 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) at routine sigmoidoscopy, during perfusion of the rectum or after perfusion of the entire colon for 3-6 hours. The results obtained in healthy subjects demonstrated that application of the exploring salt bridge directly on the mucosa and the reference electrode intravenously caused less interindividual variations than previously assumed (4, 7). The transmural PD was reduced in all patients and went towards zero in severe attacks, while the polarity of the luminal surface never reversed.

Key-words::

• Biological transport
• colon
• colitis, ulcerative
• electrolytes
• intestine, large
• membrane potentials
• rectum