Involvement of eicosanoids and macrophage-like cells in cytokine-mediated changes in rat myenteric nerves

Proinflammatory cytokines alter function in enteric nerves, but little is known about underlying mechanisms. This study was designed to investigate the roles of prostanoids and of macrophage-like cells in cytokine-induced suppression of [3H]norepinephrine release from rat myenteric plexus.

The release of 3H from jejunal longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus preparations that had been loaded with [3H]norepinephrine was measured. Measurements of 3H release as well as concentrations of prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene were made in preparations exposed to interleukin 1 beta plus interleukin 6 and in the presence or absence of piroxicam, 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor MK886, cycloheximide, or cyclosporin A. An ultrastructural analysis was also performed to investigate the presence of macrophage-like cells in the myenteric plexus.

Interleukin 1 beta plus interleukin 6 suppressed 3H release and caused an increase in tissue prostaglandin E2 but not leukotriene E4. Piroxicam and cycloheximide but not MK886 attenuated the cytokine-induced increase in prostaglandin E2 and the suppression of [3H]norepinephrine release. Ultrastructural analysis showed macrophage-like cells in the plexus, and the cytokine effects were inhibited by cyclosporin A.

Prostanoids but not leukotrienes mediate the cytokine-induced suppression of norepinephrine release, and the results of this study suggest that macrophage-like cells are also involved.