Short Chain Fatty Acids Effect on Chloride Channel ClC-2 as a Possible Mechanism for Lubiprostone Intestinal Action.

Lubiprostone, a 20-carbon synthetic fatty acid used for the treatment of constipation, is thought to act through an action on Cl channel ClC-2. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced and absorbed in the distal intestine. We explore whether SCFAs affect ClC-2, re-examine a possible direct effect of lubiprostone on ClC-2, and use mice deficient in ClC-2 to stringently address the hypothesis that the epithelial effect of lubiprostone targets this anion channel.