Increased phospholipase A2 activity in peritoneal leukocytes in rat experimental colitis

Activated leukocytes in the peritoneal cavity have been shown to release phospholipase A2(PLA2) activity and increased production of eicosanoids. It is not known whether a similar phenomenon occurs in inflammatory bowel diseases. We measured PLA2 activity in the peritoneal leukocytes and eicosanoid content in the peritoneal cavity of rats with experimental colitis induced by dinitrochlorobenzene, immune complex-mediated colitis, and acetic acid-induced colitis. In all models of colitis, proteins in the peritoneal cavity were increased by 60-260% above control, leukocyte number was elevated by 3- to 10-fold, the PLA2 activity by 4- to 32-fold, and anti-PLA2 activity was absent. Eicosanoid concentrations were 3- to 4-fold higher than controls. In vitro studies confirmed that the peritoneal leukocytes were the source of PLA2. Treatment of rats with dexamethasone and leukocytes in vitro reduced PLA2 significantly, but they were well above control rats without colitis. However, dexamethasone did not improve the histology. These studies suggest that peritoneal leukocytes may serve as an additional source of inflammatory mediators, which may further enhance the inflammatory response in the rat colon.