Demonstration and modification of intervillous pH profiles in rat small intestine in vitro

The intervillous pH profiles along the crypt villus axis in different regions of the rat small intestine were measured in vitro by using pH-sensitive liquid ion-exchanger microelectrodes. A characteristic pH profile was observed in the duodenum and jejunum. A region of low pH was detected in the upper parts of the villi (pH 6.65 ± 0.06 to 6.85 ± 0.07), whereas pH at the villus base was always higher. In the ileum no gradient was observed (pH 7.26 ± 0.05 to 7.31 ± 0.05). Preincubation of the tissue in situ with 10 mM theophylline for 1 h caused an increase in the villus base pH in the jejunum (pH 7.24 ± 0.04) and ileum (7.44 ± 0.04) followed by a subsequent increase of the pH in the upper part of the villi. These results indicate that the low pH in the upper intervillous space may be related to H⁺ secretion occurring from the mature enterocytes, whereas the crypt cells may secrete a rather neutral or slightly alkaline fluid. Alkaline secretion from the crypts may be increased by theophylline, which changes the levels of cyclic nucleotides in the mucosa.