In Vitro Luminal Measurements of Colon Electrical Impedance in Rabbits

Abstract

Until very recently, the colon was a neglected organ in science. During the present century, it has gained much attention, due to its role in health and disease, especially because of the presence of the microbiota. The interaction between the latter and human cells is made basically through the paracellular pathway; therefore, the permeability of the colonic mucosa plays a crucial role in it. Some authors have shown important changes in this function associated to different health disorders. Electrical Bio Impedance (EBI) techniques can be a useful tool for the study of the colon, with measurements taken from the luminal side. In this study, we report passive electrical response along the colon of rabbits (n = 7), where EBI measurements were carried out in 6 different segments. The results suggest that there are differences between the proximal and the distal portions of the colon. It is probably due to their differences in structure and functions, as it has been reported in other studies. Resistivity in the first part of the proximal colon seems to be higher than in most of the distal colon (8.7 and 6.6 Ohm m, respectively) with a gradual decreasing along the former and some fluctuation along the latter.