Goblet cell mucus in the small intestine. Findings after net fluid production due to cholera toxin and hypertonic solutions

Goblet cells in the small intestine of rabbits were studied by a technique of histological grading after stimulation of fluid production by cholera toxin and by hypertonic solutions of mannitol and glucose. In comparison with normal intestine, only cholera toxin led to a pronounced reduction in goblet cell mucus. Furthermore response to the toxin was similar in the jejunum and ileum and when combined with stimulation by hypertonic mannitol. Pre treatment of the rabbits with cycloheximide, which inhibited fluid production due to cholera toxin, did not prevent reduction in goblet cell mucus in perfused intestinal loops exposed to cholera toxin. Stimulation by hypertonic solutions of fluid production comparable in volume to that seen with cholera toxin was associated with only slight reduction in content of mucus in goblet cells. Pre treatment with cycloheximide did not alter this finding. The results provide further evidence that fluid secretion from the small intestine induced by cholera toxin operates through a separate mechanism from that which pertains in hypertonically induced fluid production. The findings also indicate that the possibility cannot be excluded that in cholera the production of fluid and electrolytes as well as secretion of mucus might be derived chiefly from goblet cells of the small intestine.