Biomedical subjects

R D Specian

Publications and source records attributed to R D Specian.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Mechanisms of acute and chronic intestinal inflammation induced by indomethacin.

The objective of this study was to characterize the mechanisms of acute and chronic intestinal mucosal injury and inflammation induced by subcutaneously injected indomethacin (Indo). One injection of Indo (7.5 mg/kg) produced acute injury and inflammation in the distal jejunum and proximal ileum that were maximal at three days and completely resolved within one week. Two daily subcutaneous injections of Indo produced a more extensive and chronic inflammation that lasted in an active form in more than 75% of the rats for at least two weeks. Epithelial injury, as measured by enhanced mucosal permeability, was significantly elevated only at one day in the acute model (one injection) but was persistently elevated in the chronic model (two injections). Bile duct ligation completely attenuated increased mucosal permeability in the acute model, however, depletion of circulating neutrophils had no effect. Neither Indo (0-0.1 mg/ml) nor normal bile was cytotoxic to cultured rat intestinal epithelial cells; however, they synergistically promoted significant cytotoxicity. Bile collected from rats treated with Indo was cytotoxic towards the epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. Sulfasalazine and metronidazole (100 mg/kg/day, both) attenuated enhanced mucosal permeability in the chronic model. Massive bacterial translocation into the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen following two injections of Indo was significantly attenuated by metronidazole. We conclude that: (1) a single injection of Indo produces acute intestinal mucosal injury and inflammation that resolve completely within three to seven days, whereas two daily injections of Indo produce both acute and chronic injury and inflammation, (2) enterohepatic circulation of Indo is important in promoting the acute phases of injury and inflammation, (3) circulating neutrophils do not play a role in the pathogenesis of this model, and (4) endogenous bacteria play an important role in exacerbating and/or perpetuating the chronic phases of injury and inflammation.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1993

Mucosal injury and inflammation in a model of chronic granulomatous colitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to characterize the acute and chronic inflammation induced by the intramural injection of peptidoglycan-polysaccharide (PG-PS) into the distal colon of genetically susceptible rats. METHODS: Blood-to-lumen clearance of 51Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, colonic myeloperoxidase activity, colon weight, and plasma nitrite and nitrate levels were determined to quantitate colonic mucosal injury, inflammation, and nitric oxide (NO) production, respectively. RESULTS: Intramural injection of PG-PS into the distal colon produced a local biphasic inflammatory response composed of an acute episode 3 days after injection; this was followed by a spontaneous reactivation of chronic granulomatous colitis manifested by colonic thickening, adhesions, and infiltration of the submucosa and muscularis propria with macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes at 3-4 weeks. Mucosal ulcers were evident only at 3 weeks, but hepatic nodules, splenic necrosis, and arthritis were evident at both 3 and 4 weeks after PG-PS injection. PG-PS produced significant increases in colonic mucosal permeability, myeloperoxidase activity, and plasma nitrite and nitrate levels at 3 weeks postinjection compared with controls. PG-PS stimulated the production of nitrite by elicited peritoneal macrophages and neutrophils in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: PG-PS produces a chronic granulomatous colitis in rats; this colitis is characterized by enhanced NO production.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1993

Adaptive cytoprotection in the small intestine: role of mucus.

Gastric mucosal injury induced by strong irritants can be dramatically reduced by pretreating the mucosa with mild forms of the same irritant. This phenomenon has been termed "adaptive cytoprotection." The aim of the present study was to use in vivo and in vitro approaches to study adaptive cytoprotection in the small intestine using physiologically relevant concentrations of oleic acid. Anesthetized rats were instrumented for perfusion of the proximal jejunum with 10 or 40 mM oleic acid (in 20 mM sodium taurocholate). Mucosal epithelial integrity was continuously monitored by measuring the blood-to-lumen clearance of 51Cr-labeled EDTA. Perfusion of the lumen with 40 mM oleic acid produced a 10-fold increase in 51Cr-EDTA clearance, which was not affected by a previous perfusion with 10 mM oleic acid, i.e., no adaptive cytoprotection. In another series of experiments, oleic acid was placed in the lumen rather than perfused, and mucosal epithelial integrity was assessed histologically. Intraluminal placement of 10 mM oleic acid resulted in the generation of a mucus layer over the epithelium. Subsequent placement of 40 mM oleic acid did not produce significant epithelial cell injury, i.e., adaptive cytoprotection. In in vitro studies, mucin (1, 5, and 10 mg/ml) was layered over confluent monolayers of Caco-2 cells prior to addition of 2 mM oleic acid in 4 mM sodium taurocholate. The epithelial cell injury induced by oleic acid was inhibited by mucin in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies indicate that mucin does not prevent, but simply delays, the onset of cell injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acclimatization↗

PubMed1992

A comparative analysis of two models of colitis in rats.

Two models of colitis produced in rats that have received significant attention over the past few years are the acetic acid and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) models. The objective of this study was to quantify and compare the temporal relationship among mucosal permeability, epithelial injury, and inflammation induced by acetic acid, ethanol (vehicle), ethanol plus TNBS (unbuffered, pH 1.0), and ethanol plus TNBS (pH 7.4). Data obtained show that the inflammation induced by these four irritants results from caustic injury to the colonic epithelium and interstitium as measured by the rapid and dramatic increases in mucosal permeability and tissue water content as well as by histological analysis. The injurious nature of TNBS was confirmed in a separate series of studies showing that buffered TNBS (pH 7.4), in the absence of ethanol, is toxic to cultured rat intestinal epithelial cell monolayers. Only after 1-2 days of the initial insult, were signs of classical inflammation observed, including increases in colonic myeloperoxidase activity (neutrophil infiltration) and colon weight as well as hyperemia and mucosal ulcerations. Although ethanol plus TNBS (pH 1.0 or 7.4) tended to produce higher mucosal permeabilities (epithelial cell injury) at 1-2 weeks after the enemas than acetic acid or ethanol groups, only the ethanol plus TNBS (pH 7.4) permeabilities were found to be significantly enhanced. In addition, all four groups showed significant elevations in colonic myeloperoxidase activity and colon weight at 1-2 weeks after enema. It is suggested that these models of colitis are useful to study events that occur at the time of inflammation and repair. However, these models may have significant limitations in understanding events that initiate inflammation of the intestine in human inflammatory bowel disease.

Acetates↗

PubMed1992

Zymosan-induced bacterial translocation: a study of mechanisms.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: At nonlethal doses, zymosan induces a systemic inflammatory state and promotes bacterial translocation. This study was performed to investigate the mechanisms by which zymosan causes intestinal mucosal injury and bacterial translocation. Bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph node was measured 24 hrs after intraperitoneal challenge with saline or zymosan (0.1 mg) in normal (CD-1), congenitally macrophage-hyporesponsive (C3H/HeJ), complement-deficient (DBA/2), or mast cell-deficient (W/Wv) mice. Since zymosan-induced bacterial translocation may be mediated by xanthine oxidase-generated oxidants, bacterial translocation was measured in mice pretreated with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor, allopurinol. To further investigate the role of oxidants in zymosan-induced bacterial translocation, ileal and hepatic levels of xanthine oxidase, myeloperoxidase, conjugated dienes, malondialdehyde, and the antioxidants--superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, were measured. RESULTS: Zymosan-induced mucosal injury and bacterial translocation occurred to a similar extent (p less than .05) in all four genetic strains of mice, but were reduced in the mice pretreated with allopurinol. Zymosan increased (p less than .03) ileal and hepatic xanthine oxidase activity, while reducing (p less than .01) antioxidant (catalase) activity. There was also evidence of hepatic, but not ileal, lipid peroxidation (conjugated diene) (p less than .05) and neutrophil sequestration (myeloperoxidase) (p less than .01). CONCLUSIONS: Zymosan-induced intestinal mucosal injury and bacterial translocation do not require complement activation, or the release of macrophage or mast cell products. They appear to be mediated by xanthine oxidase-generated products and associated with disruption of the normal ileal and hepatic oxidant-antioxidant balance.

Allopurinol↗

PubMed1992

Polyamines attenuate jejunal mucosal injury induced by oleic acid.

Effects of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine on lipid-induced injury to jejunal mucosa were assessed in anesthetized rats. Mucosal epithelial integrity was continuously monitored by measuring blood-to-lumen clearance of 51Cr-labeled EDTA. Perfusion of jejunal lumen with emulsified lipid (20 mM sodium taurocholate and 40 mM oleic acid) increased 51Cr-EDTA clearance. Addition of spermidine (0.5 mM), but not putrescine (2.0 mM) or spermine (0.25 mM), to the lipid perfusate reduced the increment in 51Cr-EDTA clearance. Histological evaluation of jejunal mucosa indicated that the epithelial lining of the villous tips was damaged by emulsified oleic acid and that this injury was ameliorated by spermidine. Pretreatment of jejunal mucosa with spermidine did not prevent disruption of mucosal integrity induced by a subsequent perfusion with emulsified lipids. Intravenous infusion of spermidine to achieve an extracellular concentration of 0.5 mM did not prevent the lipid-induced increase in 51Cr-EDTA. Spermidine also ameliorated lipid-induced disruption of Caco-2 cell monolayers in culture; this protective effect was dose dependent and was observed only when spermidine was applied to the apical aspect of the monolayers. These findings indicate that spermidine must be present on the apical portion of the epithelial cell during lipid insult. Substitution of lysine or arginine for spermidine did not reduce the extent of lipid-induced injury to jejunal mucosa, indicating that spermidine's protective effects cannot simply be attributed to its cationic nature. Spermidine did not alter the turbidity of a micellar oleic acid solution, indicating that spermidine was not removing oleic acid from the soluble phase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Induction of early-phase tolerance to endotoxin-induced mucosal injury, xanthine oxidase activation, and bacterial translocation by pretreatment with endotoxin.

The goal of this study was to determine whether tolerance would develop to endotoxin-induced mucosal injury, xanthine oxidase activation, and bacterial translocation. To accomplish this goal, four groups of mice were studied: 1) mice receiving ip injections of saline 96 and 24 hr prior to sacrifice, 2) mice receiving ip injections of saline 96 and endotoxin (0.1 mg) 24 hr prior to sacrifice, 3) mice receiving ip injections of endotoxin 96 and 24 hr prior to sacrifice, and 4) mice receiving ip injections of endotoxin 96 hr and saline 24 hr prior to sacrifice. In contrast to the saline control animals or mice sacrificed 96 hr after a single dose of endotoxin, mice sacrificed 24 hr after receiving a single dose of endotoxin had evidence of mucosal injury, elevated levels of ileal xanthine oxidase activity, and an 81% incidence of bacterial translocation. Mice sacrificed 24 hr after a second dose of endotoxin were largely protected against the toxic effects of endotoxin. Thus tolerance to endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation does develop and is associated with tolerance to endotoxin-induced ileal mucosal injury and xanthine oxidase activation.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Absence of intestinal bile promotes bacterial translocation.

Previously, the authors documented that extrahepatic biliary obstruction promotes the systemic translocation of bacteria from the intestine to visceral tissues. The current experiments were performed to determine whether it was the absence of intestinal bile or the presence of biliary obstruction that promoted bacterial translocation. Four groups of rats were studied: 1) nonoperated controls (n = 20), sham common bile duct-ligated (n = 22), common bile duct-ligated (n = 25), and common bile duct-diverted (choledochovesical bypass) (n = 23). The sham-ligated group underwent laparotomy and manipulation of the portal region; whereas the ligated group had their common bile ducts ligated, while the choledochovesical group had a silastic tube placed from the common bile duct to the bladder. Seven days later, at death, the incidence of bacterial translocation was higher in the groups of rats subjected to common bile duct ligation (41%) or diversion (32%) than in the control (3%) or sham-ligated (5%) groups (P less than 0.05). Histologic sections of ileums of ligated and diverted animals both showed subepithelial edema. These findings suggest that it is primarily the absence of bile in the intestine that promotes mucosal injury and bacterial translocation and not biliary obstruction.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

A study of the relationship among survival, gut-origin sepsis, and bacterial translocation in a model of systemic inflammation.

Several factors, including uncontrolled inflammation, gut barrier failure, and sepsis, have been implicated in the development of multiple organ failure. To investigate the relative importance and interrelationships among some of these factors, increasing doses of the inflammatory agent zymosan were used to induce a systemic inflammatory state in mice. At nonlethal doses (0.1 and 0.5 mg/g body weight), zymosan caused injury to the intestinal mucosa, increased intestinal xanthine oxidase activity, and promoted bacterial translocation in a dose-dependent fashion. Inhibition or inactivation of xanthine oxidase activity was effective in reducing mucosal injury and bacterial translocation when zymosan was injected at 0.1 mg/g but not at 0.5 mg/g body weight. At a dose of 1 mg/g, the lethal effects of zymosan appeared to be related to gut-origin sepsis, since cefoxitin (1 mg/g) reduced the seven-day mortality rate from 100% to 20% (p less than 0.01). However, at a zymosan dose of 2 mg/g, antibiotics did not improve survival. Zymosan thus induced gut barrier failure and systemic infection in a dose-dependent fashion. Additionally, the mechanism of zymosan-induced bacterial translocation and the relationship of gut-origin sepsis to survival appeared to be related to the magnitude of the inflammatory insult (the dose of zymosan).

Allopurinol↗

PubMed1991

Rat small intestinal mucins: a quantitative analysis.

Although much is known about the qualitative distribution of mucin-secreting goblet cells in the small intestine, the quantitative distribution of stored mucins remains undefined. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of neutral stored mucin in the rat small intestine by using morphometric techniques and once established, to verify that this methodology could detect secretion in animals exposed to a known mucin secretagogue. Twelve male Wistar rats (five baseline, five pilocarpine-treated, and two vehicle controls) were fixed by vascular perfusion. After a brief fixation the intestine was removed, cut into 10 equal segments, sliced, and fixed overnight. Methacrylate sections from each segment were stained with periodic acid-Schiff and toluidine blue. For morphometry, the volume of epithelium per surface area of epithelial basal lamina was calculated with a Merz grid. The volume density of stored mucin per epithelium was determined by point-counting on a square lattice grid. Volumes were related to either surface area of epithelial basal lamina or mucosal surface area. Due mostly to contributions by villus stored mucin, the total amount of product was found to increase proximally to distally in the small bowel, with the most dramatic increases occurring in the first three segments. When subjected to pilocarpine, a massive secretory response was evoked, resulting in a near total depletion of crypt stored mucin at all levels of the small bowel. Secretion of villus stored mucin also occurred throughout the small intestine, however reaching levels of significance at only a few points. This study describes the distribution of stored mucin in the small intestine under baseline and accelerated secretory conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Intracellular variation of rat intestinal mucin granules localized by monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies produced against rat small intestinal mucins were utilized to study variability of stored mucin granules within rat ileal goblet cells. Eleven antibody-secreting hybridoma cultures were produced; six of these uniformly labeled stored mucin granules in virtually all goblet cells, suggesting that some antigenic features are common to all granules. The other five stained goblet cells in the rat small intestinal epithelium nonuniformly. R803, R805, and R807 localized within almost all goblet cells but revealed differential labeling of centrally and peripherally located mucin granules. R804 uniformly labeled the mucin granules of most villous goblet cells; some of the crypt goblet cells were uniformly labeled, but the majority were only partially labeled, resulting in a mottled staining pattern. R808 stained only a small portion of crypt goblet cells; there is, however, an increase in both number of goblet cells labeled and in uniformity of staining of the stored granule mass from the base of the crypt to the surface, resulting in uniform labeling of virtually all goblet cells at the villus tip. This study demonstrates for the first time that rat small intestinal mucin granules are immunologically heterogeneous and nonuniformly distributed within the epithelium. Additionally, staining patterns within the stored granule mass suggest that structurally distinct subpopulations of mucin granules may exist within a single goblet cell.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Morphologic assessment of leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in mesenteric venules subjected to ischemia and reperfusion.

Intravital microscopic studies of the mesenteric microcirculation have demonstrated that leukocyte adherence and emigration in postcapillary venules are a characteristic feature of tissues exposed to ischemia-reperfusion. The objectives of this study were to determine whether: (1) neutrophils are the predominant leukocytes that adhere and emigrate in postischemic mesenteric venules, and (2) leukocyte adherence and/or emigration are a prerequisite for reperfusion-induced increases in venular permeability. Leukocyte kinetics in cat mesenteric venules (25-35 microns diameter) were evaluated using both intravital microscopy and quantitative morphometry. The intestine and mesentery were exposed to 60 min of ischemia, followed by 60 min reperfusion. Some animals were pretreated with a monoclonal antibody (MoAb IB4) against the leukocyte adhesion glycoprotein, CD11/CD18. Vessels observed by intravital microscopy and adjacent venules of similar diameter were excised and processed for light (LM) and electron microscopy (EM). Horseradish peroxidase (HRP), administered intravenously, was used to assess vascular permeability by EM. By LM, the control (nonischemic) mesentery is sparsely populated by plasma cells, mast cells, and leukocytes; 30-50% of the resident population is neutrophils. Ischemia-reperfusion led to a significant increase in the number of extravascular cells, with neutrophils accounting for greater than 80% of the total cell population. Control and ischemic venules demonstrated no leakage of HRP into the interstitium. However, venules exposed to ischemia and reperfusion demonstrated HRP leakage between endothelial cells and into the surrounding interstitium; neutrophils were adherent to the luminal surface of the endothelium, transmigrating the vessel wall, and in the surrounding interstitium. Animals pretreated with MoAb IB4 presented the same cell profile as nonischemic controls, with no adherent or transmigrating neutrophils. However, some HRP leakage was noted following reperfusion in venules treated with MoAb IB4. The results of this study indicate that: (1) neutrophils are the predominate leukocytes that adhere and emigrate in postischemic venules, and (2) inhibition of leukocyte adhesion does not completely prevent the venular dysfunction associated with ischemia-reperfusion.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Role of neutrophils in acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.

Intrarectal administration of 4% acetic acid produces diffuse inflammation that ultimately results in erosions and ulcerations of the rat colon. Although this model of colitis has been used extensively over the past several years, there are no quantitative data available regarding the relationship between neutrophil infiltration and mucosal injury during times of active inflammation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to define the role of extravasated neutrophils as mediators of mucosal injury and inflammation in acetic acid-induced colitis. We found the intrarectal administration of 4% acetic acid produced an 11-fold increase in colonic mucosal permeability, a 9-fold increase in colonic MPO activity, and a 1.6-fold increase in colon weight at 48 h following administration of acetic acid. In addition, we found significant correlations between colonic MPO activity and mucosal permeability and between colonic MPO activity and colon weight (P less than 0.01 for both). These data suggested that inflammatory neutrophils may mediate mucosal injury and inflammation in this model of colitis. To assess the role of circulating neutrophils, rats were rendered neutropenic for 48 h by the intraperitoneal administration of antiserum directed toward rat neutrophils (ANS). Although ANS treatment reduced both the number of circulating neutrophils and colonic MPO activity to less than 10% of control values, it did not attenuate the increases in colonic mucosal permeability nor did it attenuate the increases in colon weight produced by acetic acid. Histological inspection confirmed that ANS treatment was not effective in attenuating the injury to the epithelial barrier. These data demonstrate that infiltrating neutrophils do not mediate the mucosal injury and inflammation observed in acetic acid-induced colitis.

Acetates↗

PubMed1991

Interleukin-2 enhances the translocation of Escherichia coli from the intestines to other organs.

To determine if interleukin-2 (IL-2) would inhibit gastrointestinal bacterial translocation, mice were gut-decontaminated and recolonized with Escherichia coli C25; some groups were pretreated with 200 mg/kg cyclophosphamide. IL-2 (1.68 mg/kg) or sterile diluent was injected twice daily for 3 or 5 days, and mice were sacrificed the next day. High cecal levels of E. coli C25 were present in all mice. The overall incidence of E. coli C25 translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes was not reduced by IL-2. The median numbers of translocated E. coli C25/g of mesenteric lymph node were significantly (P less than .005) higher after both 3 days (659 vs. 117) and 5 days (550 vs. 50) of treatment with IL-2 with cyclophosphamide and after 5 days (1784 vs. 225) of IL-2 without cyclophosphamide. IL-2 prevented neutropenia and exacerbated lymphopenia caused by cyclophosphamide. The in vitro growth of E. coli C25 was not affected by up to 10(5) units/ml IL-2. Ileal and cecal structures assessed by light and electron microscopy were not altered by IL-2. Thus, IL-2 unexpectedly enhanced the translocation of E. coli C25 from the gastrointestinal tracts of both cyclophosphamide-pretreated and normal mice.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation and mucosal permeability: role of xanthine oxidase, complement activation, and macrophage products.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Previously, we documented that nonlethal doses of endotoxin injure the intestinal mucosal barrier and promote bacterial translocation from the gut to systemic organs. The current study was performed to determine the role of cytokines and complement activation in the pathogenesis of endotoxin-induced mucosal injury and bacterial translocation, as well as to quantify the magnitude of endotoxin-induced intestinal mucosal permeability. RESULTS: The frequency of endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation was similar between normal outbred (88%), complement deficient (67%), and macrophage-hyporesponsive (55%) mice, indicating that neither complement nor macrophage activation is necessary for endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation to occur. As early as 2 hrs after endotoxin challenge, there was evidence of a greater than two-fold increase in ileal (p = .008) but not jejunal (p = .11) permeability as measured by the clearance of 51Cr EDTA. Both the increase in endotoxin-induced ileal permeability and the occurrence of bacterial translocation were largely prevented by pretreatment with allopurinol, a competitive inhibitor of xanthine oxidase. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation, mucosal injury, and ileal permeability are mediated via activation of xanthine oxidase, and not through complement activation or the liberation of macrophage products.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Functional biology of intestinal goblet cells.

Goblet cells reside throughout the length of the small and large intestine and are responsible for the production and maintenance of the protective mucus blanket by synthesizing and secreting high-molecular-weight glycoproteins known as mucins. To elucidate the role of goblet cells in the biology of the intestinal tract, an overview of the physiological implications of the mucus gel is presented, including a concise review of the products secreted by the cell. Because of the unique nature of this highly polarized exocrine cell, the maturational reorganization of the cytoarchitecture and the cellular mechanisms by which goblet cells secrete their products are discussed. This includes elucidation of the baseline secretory pathway, which is dependent on the cytoskeleton for granule movement, and the accelerated secretory pathway, which is independent of the cytoskeleton but requires an extracellular signal to occur. Finally, the involvement of goblet cell mucins in the pathophysiology of intestinal neoplasia and ulcerative colitis are presented.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Cytoskeleton of intestinal goblet cells: role of microtubules in baseline secretion.

To determine the involvement of microtubules (MTs) in granule translocation, autoradiographic analysis of maximal granule movement in the absence or presence of MT inhibitors was performed. Rabbit colonic mucosal explants were pulse-labeled with [3H]glucosamine for 30 min in organ culture, then maintained on nonradioactive medium for 1-6 h. Radio-labeled mucin granules appear in the apical granule mass in 1-2 h, then they migrate to the apical plasma membrane, with a total transit time of 4-6 h. Mucosal explants were treated with either nocodazole or taxol for 30 min, pulse-labeled for 30 min, then maintained in organ culture with the same drug for up to 6 h. Nocodazole binds tubulin, preventing polymerization. In response, granule movement out of the supranuclear region and along the apical granule mass is significantly impeded. Taxol stabilizes MTs, preventing depolymerization. In response, supranuclear MTs are misoriented, but thecal MTs maintain normal orientation. Taxol treatment impedes granule migration out of the supranuclear region of the cell but not migration along the theca. These data suggest that the organization of MTs dictate the spatial organization of the baseline secretory pathway. Microtubules are necessary for granule translocation by providing directed tracks for granule movement, but microtubule dynamics are not the motile mechanism transporting mucin granules to the apical plasma membrane for secretion.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed1991

Misoprostol attenuates acetic acid-induced increases in mucosal permeability and inflammation: role of blood flow.

The objectives of this study were 1) to quantify the effects of misoprostol (Miso; prostaglandin E1 analogue) on acetic acid-induced increases in mucosal permeability and inflammation; 2) to determine what effect acetic acid, Miso, or the combination of Miso plus acetic acid has on colonic blood flow; and 3) to assess whether the protective effect of Miso may be attributable to its vasodilatory properties. We found that intrarectal administration of acetic acid produced a 6.4-fold increase in colonic myeloperoxidase activity (an index of granulocyte infiltration), an 8.2-fold increase in mucosal permeability, a 1.6-fold increase in colonic weight, and a 6.8% decrease in body weight 48 h after enema. Miso pretreatment significantly attenuated the increases in colonic myeloperoxidase activity, mucosal permeability, and colon weight as well as prevented the loss of body weight. In a different series of experiments, we found that blood flow in the descending, transverse, and ascending colon increased 2.5- to 3.5-fold immediately after the acetic acid enema; however, it returned to control values at 1 and 4 h after enema. Miso pretreatment, followed by acetic acid, resulted in a further increase (2.5-fold) in blood flow in the descending colon 1 h after enema compared with acetic acid alone. This Miso-induced increase in blood flow at 1 h could not account for its protective effect inasmuch as colonic mucosal permeability (i.e., injury) in Miso-pretreated animals was not significantly different from values obtained in animals pretreated with vehicle and then given the enema.

Acetates↗