EN
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aging on sodium and chloride ions transport in the isolated rabbit coecum. The experiment consisted in measuring PD- transepithelial electrical potential difference mV SM-mechanical stimulation and mechano-sensitivity (dPD) in collected from 12- and 36-month-old rabbits. A modified Ussing system was used for the experiment. Under the incubation in Ringer solution the values of PD and dPD of young rabbit caecum were, respectively, -3.0 ±0.4 mV and -1.2 ±0.3 mV. In 36-month rabbits, on the other hand, the values of these parameters were lower, PD by about 90% whereas dPD by about 83%. Incubation of young rabbits caecum with the presence of amiloride resulted in a reduction of PD by about 17 % and dPD by about 50%, while it did not influence the electrophysiological parameters of caecum in 36-month rabbits. Incubation with bumetanide on young rabbits caecum resulted in PD dropped by about 70% and dPD by about 83%. In the same incubation conditions as those applied for incubation of 36-month rabbits caecum, the level of PD decreased by about 67% while dPD by about 50%. Incubation of young rabbits caecum at the presence of both transport inhibitors resulted in PD decreased by about 87% and dPD by about 83%, whereas that applied for the old rabbits' caecum reduced PD by about 90%, without influencing dPD. Presented data demonstrate that the process of organism ageing inhibits sodium ion transport as well as reduces caecum epithelium sensitivity to mechanical stimuli. Probably, it is a consequence of a reduced with age release of neurotransmitter from sensory terminals; these neurotransmitters modify transepithelial ion transport.