Colonic muscle enhances the production of interleukin-1 beta messenger RNA in experimental colitis

• Published in: Gut 1997-03, Vol.40 (3), p.307-312
• Main Authors: Khan, I, al-Awadi, F M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetic Acid; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Colitis - chemically induced; Colitis - metabolism; Colon - metabolism; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Interleukin-1 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-1 - genetics; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Medical sciences; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth - metabolism; Other diseases. Semiology; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis
• ISSN: 0017-5749; 1468-3288; 1458-3288
• DOI: 10.1136/gut.40.3.307

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases are accompanied by alterations in the contractile function of colonic muscle. Whether these changes are also accompanied by the production of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) mRNA remains unknown. AIMS: To investigate the profile of IL-1 beta mRNA in the colonic muscle of rats with acetic acid induced colitis. METHODS: Colitis was induced by intrarectal administration of 1 ml of 4% acetic acid 8 cm from anal margin. Myeloperoxidase activity was used as a marker of inflammation in the colon. RNA was extracted from colonic muscle and was used to amplify the level of IL-1 beta mRNA with a reverse transcription coupled polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method developed in this study. RESULTS: Colonic muscle exhibited constitutive expression of IL-1 beta mRNA. The level was enhanced significantly, one, two, and five days after acetic acid administration. On day 7 after treatment, the level of IL-1 beta mRNA had returned baseline values. This profile of IL-1 beta mRNA was consistent with myeloperoxidase activity. CONCLUSIONS: IL-1 beta is a putative mediator of the changes in muscle function in this model of colitis.