Production of Cytokines and Prostaglandin E sub 2 by Subpopulations of Guinea Pig Enterocytes

Abstract

These observations may be important because, as gut integrity is compromised after thermal injury, enterocytes that may have previously been unexposed or less exposed to endotoxin can become a significant source of inflammatory cytokines.

Estrogen pretreatment protects males against hypoxia-induced immune depression

“…The finding that IL-6 was not increased in 17␤-estradiol-pretreated males 2 h after hypoxemia further suggests that 17␤-estradiol prevented the increased release of this cytokine by Kupffer cells. Nonetheless, studies also support other tissues (i.e., gut) as an important source of IL-6 after injury (8,23). In this regard, Nelson et al (21) showed that inhibition of gut-derived IL-6 with pentoxifylline improved survival after sepsis.…”

The Important Role of the Gut in Initiating the Hyperdynamic Response during Early Sepsis

“…Thus, it is not surprising that Meakins and Marshall have suggested that the gastrointestinal track may be the "motor" for producing multiple organ failure following injury [26]. It has also been shown that intestinal epithelial cells produce interleukin-6 (IL-6) [27] and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) [28]. Despite the fact that enterocytes are capable of producing inflammatory cytokines following in vitro endotoxin stimulation [27,28], our recent studies have indicated that organs other than the gut appear to be responsible for upregulating proinflammatory cytokines during polymicrobial sepsis [29].…”

“…It has also been shown that intestinal epithelial cells produce interleukin-6 (IL-6) [27] and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) [28]. Despite the fact that enterocytes are capable of producing inflammatory cytokines following in vitro endotoxin stimulation [27,28], our recent studies have indicated that organs other than the gut appear to be responsible for upregulating proinflammatory cytokines during polymicrobial sepsis [29]. It is postulated that mediators such as norepinephrine released by the gut [30] stimulate the tissue fixed macrophages in the liver (i.e., Kupffer cells) to produce the proinflammatory cytokine TNF via ␣-adrenergic receptors [31].…”

Intestinal Dipeptide Absorption Is Preserved During Thermal Injury and Cytokine Treatment

“…Moreover, these concentrations are inheren tly difficult to estimate, because they may be influenced by cytokine concentrations circulating systemi cally as well as cytokines produced locally by enterocytes and intraepithelial lymphocytes. [56][57][58] Use of a physiologically relevant model of disease, in conjunction with evaluation using key mediators of inflammation in vitro, gives credence to our results.…”