Interleukin 1 beta-induced increase in substance P in rat myenteric plexus
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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
In Vitro Recording of Mesenteric Afferent Nerve Activity in Mouse Jejunal and Colonic Segments
Published on: October 25, 2016
S M Hurst1, A M Stanisz, K A Sharkey
1Intestinal Diseases Research Unit, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Background:
Substance P (SP) is increased in the inflamed intestine of Trichinella spiralis-infected rats, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) messenger RNA and protein is expressed in the longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus (LM-MP) of this model. Thus, the purpose of the study was to examine the ability of human recombinant IL-1 beta (hrIL-1 beta) to increase SP in LM-MP preparations from the intestine of noninfected rats.
Methods:
LM-MP preparations were incubated with hrIL-1 beta, and immunoreactive SP (IR-SP) was assessed in the tissues by radioimmunoassay or immunohistochemistry.
Results:
hrIL-1 beta increased IR-SP in the tissue in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, being maximal after 6 hours at a concentration of 10 ng/mL. The IR-SP could be depleted by scorpion venom, and immunohistochemistry revealed increased staining for SP within nerves of the LM-MP. The action of IL-1 beta was dependent on protein synthesis, was receptor mediated, and was not due to endotoxin contamination of the cytokine preparation.
Conclusions:
hrIL-1 beta stimulates the synthesis of SP in myenteric nerves of rat intestine.
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