KEY POINTS: We present the first systematic and, up to now, most comprehensive evaluation of the basic features of epithelial functions, such as basal and nerve-evoked secretion, as well as tissue resistance, in over 2200 surgical specimens of human small and large intestine. We found no evidence for impaired nerve-evoked epithelial secretion or tissue resistance with age or disease pathologies (stomach, pancreas or colon cancer, polyps, diverticulitis, stoma reversal). This indicates the validity of future studies on epithelial secretion or resistance that are based on data from a variety of surgical specimens. ACh mainly mediated nerve-evoked and basal secretion in the small intestine, whereas vasoactive intestinal peptide and nitric oxide were the primary pro-secretory transmitters in the large intestine. The results of the present study revealed novel insights into regional differences in nerve-mediated secretion in the human intestine and comprise the basis by which to more specifically target impaired epithelial functions in the diseased gut. ABSTRACT: Knowledge on basic features of epithelial functions in the human intestine is scarce. We used Ussing chamber techniques to record basal tissue resistance (R-basal) and short circuit currents (ISC; secretion) under basal conditions (ISC-basal) and after electrical field stimulation (ISC-EFS) of nerves in 2221 resectates from 435 patients. ISC-EFS was     «

KEY POINTS: We present the first systematic and, up to now, most comprehensive evaluation of the basic features of epithelial functions, such as basal and nerve-evoked secretion, as well as tissue resistance, in over 2200 surgical specimens of human small and large intestine. We found no evidence for impaired nerve-evoked epithelial secretion or tissue resistance with age or disease pathologies (stomach, pancreas or colon cancer, polyps, diverticulitis, stoma reversal). This indicates the validi...     »

Aged, 80 and over, Humans, Adult, Aged, Middle Aged, *Action Potentials, Bicarbonates/metabolism, Chlorides/metabolism, Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects/innervation/*metabolism, Intestine, Large/cytology/innervation/metabolism, Intestine, Small/cytology/innervation/metabolism, Ion Transport, Muscarinic Antagonists/pharmacology, Neurons/*metabolism/physiology, Nitric Oxide/metabolism, Potassium Channel Blockers/pharmacology, Purinergic Antagonists/pharmacology, Sodium Channel Blockers/pharmacology, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide/metabolism     «

Aged, 80 and over, Humans, Adult, Aged, Middle Aged, *Action Potentials, Bicarbonates/metabolism, Chlorides/metabolism, Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects/innervation/*metabolism, Intestine, Large/cytology/innervation/metabolism, Intestine, Small/cytology/innervation/metabolism, Ion Transport, Muscarinic Antagonists/pharmacology, Neurons/*metabolism/physiology, Nitric Oxide/metabolism, Potassium Channel Blockers/pharmacology, Purinergic Antagonists/pharmacology, Sodium Channel Blockers/pharmacology,...     »