Introduction: Lubiprostone, a chloride channel activator, is said to reduce epithelial permeability. However, whether lubiprostone has a direct effect on the epithelial barrier function and how it modulates the intestinal barrier function remain unknown. Therefore, the effects of lubiprostone on intestinal barrier function were evaluated in vitro. Methods: Caco-2 cells were used to assess the intestinal barrier function. To examine the expression of claudins, immunoblotting was performed with specific antibodies. The effects of lubiprostone on cytokines (IFNγ, IL-6, and IL-1β) and aspirin-induced epithelial barrier disruption were assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled-dextran permeability. Results: IFNγ, IL-6, IL-1β, and aspirin significantly decreased TEER and increased epithelial permeability. Lubiprostone significantly improved the IFNγ-induced decrease in TEER in a dose-dependent manner. Lubiprostone significantly reduced the IFNγ-induced increase in FITC labeled-dextran permeability. The changes induced by IL-6, IL-1β, and aspirin were not affected by lubiprostone. The expression of claudin-1, but not claudin-3, claudin-4, occludin, and ZO-1 was significantly increased by lubiprostone. Conclusion: Lubiprostone significantly improved the IFNγ-induced decrease in TEER and increase in FITC labeled-dextran permeability. Lubiprostone increased the expression of claudin-1, and this increase may be related to the effect of lubiprostone on the epithelial barrier function.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.