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Bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal microvascular lesions leading to acute diarrhea

V I Mathan1, G R Penny, M M Mathan

  • 1Wellcome Research Unit, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, India.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|November 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria causes intestinal damage and diarrhea in mice. This vascular damage mechanism may be a novel pathway in acute diarrhea.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Gram-negative bacteria possess lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a potent endotoxin.
  • Intestinal microvascular lesions are implicated in acute diarrhea pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of LPS in inducing intestinal microvascular lesions and diarrhea.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of LPS-induced intestinal damage.

Main Methods:

  • Subcutaneous LPS challenge in mice.
  • Oral administration of marker organisms.
  • Intravenous plasma transfer experiments.
  • Sepharose-LPS-antibody absorption assays.

Main Results:

  • Subcutaneous LPS challenge induced intestinal microvascular lesions, characterized by endothelial cell damage and microthrombi, leading to fluid exudation and diarrhea.
  • Marker organisms invaded the mucosa in challenged mice.
  • Plasma from challenged mice transferred the lesion to normal mice, an effect abolished by LPS-antibody absorption.
  • Intraluminal LPS induced scattered lesions but not diarrhea.

Conclusions:

  • LPS-induced microvascular damage is a potential mechanism in acute diarrhea pathogenesis.
  • The findings suggest a novel pathway for LPS-mediated intestinal injury.

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