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Endothelin-1 expression in the small intestine during chronic peritonitis
M C Chou1, M A Wilson, D A Spain
1Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky 40292, USA.
Shock (Augusta, Ga.)
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) gene expression increases in the mouse small intestine during chronic peritonitis. This response is time-dependent and correlates with infection severity, suggesting ET-1
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Endothelins (ET) are known to cause intestinal vasoconstriction in acute bacterial infections.
- The role of ET-1 in chronic intestinal infection models remains uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the synthesis and expression of Endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the small intestine during a chronic peritonitis model.
- To determine the time-dependent and severity-related expression of ET-1.
Main Methods:
- Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model in mice to induce chronic peritonitis.
- Quantitative analysis of ET-1 mRNA using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
- Measurement of serum and intestinal ET peptide levels via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Main Results:
- A significant increase in ET-1 mRNA was observed 8 hours post-CLP (single puncture).
- ET-1 mRNA levels returned to baseline by 24 hours after a single puncture.
- A more severe CLP model (double puncture) showed elevated ET-1 mRNA, serum ET, and tissue ET levels at 24 hours.
Conclusions:
- ET-1 gene expression in the terminal ileum exhibits a time-dependent response following CLP.
- The observed ET-1 response is directly related to the severity of the induced peritonitis.
- These findings highlight the involvement of ET-1 in chronic intestinal infection pathophysiology.