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DNBS/TNBS Colitis Models: Providing Insights Into Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Effects of Dietary Fat
Published on: February 27, 2014
Altered expression and secretion of colonic interleukin-6 in a stress-sensitive animal model of brain-gut axis
Dervla O'Malley1, Timothy G Dinan, John F Cryan
1Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. d.omalley@ucc.ie
Abstract:
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) can activate gastrointestinal submucosal neurons, with associated implications for motility and secretory function. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have elevated levels of circulating IL-6. Colons from the Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat model of IBS secrete more IL-6 (12.84 pg/ml) than control Sprague Dawley (SD) colons (5.55 pg/ml) and WKY secretions stimulated calcium responses in naïve submucosal neurons of greater amplitude. Recombinant IL-6 activated more submucosal neurons in WKY tissue preparations (p<0.05). These data demonstrate that WKY colonic supernatants activate submucosal neurons using an IL-6-dependent mechanism, thereby providing a link between gastrointestinal dysfunction and alterations in IL-6 levels.
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