Defective stimulation of cyclic AMP by prostaglandin E2 in colonic epithelial cells in colitis.

The present study investigated the effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide and prostaglandin E2 on cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in isolated colonocytes during experimental colitis. Intra-rectal trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid induced a colitis-like inflammation in the rabbit distal colon. Basal levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate were similar in control and colitic colonocytes. Levels were increased by prostaglandin E2 and vasoactive intestinal peptide in control cells. Colonocytes from colitic tissue responded to vasoactive intestinal peptide normally, but exhibited an attenuated response to prostaglandin E2. We conclude during colitis the epithelium exhibits a specific alteration in prostaglandin E2 receptor number, affinity or adenylate cyclase coupling.