tetrodotoxin and Trichinellosis

Mucosal mast cells (MMCs), epithelial barrier function (EBF) and the enteric nervous system (ENS) are interactive factors in the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders. We characterized postinfectious EBF alterations in the Trichinella spiralis infection model of MMC-dependent intestinal dysfunction in rats.. Sprague-Dawley rats were infected with T. spiralis. 30 ± 2 days postinfection, jejunal EBF (electrophysiological parameters, fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran fluxes and responses to secretagogues and MMC degranulators) was evaluated (Ussing chamber). In some experiments, participation of secretomotor neurons was examined by tetrodotoxin (TTX) pretreatment. Jejunal histology and MMC count and activity were also assessed.. 30 ± 2 days postinfection, when only a low grade inflammation was observed, increased MMC number and activity were associated with altered EBF. EBF alterations were characterized by increased mucosal permeability and ion secretion. In T. spiralis-infected animals, secretory responses to serotonin (5-HT) and immunoglobulin E (IgE)-dependent activation of MMCs were reduced. In contrast, responses to substance P (SP) and capsaicin were similar in infected and noninfected animals. Neuronal blockade with TTX altered secretory responses to SP and capsaicin only in infected rats.. Trichinella spiralis infection in rats, at late stages, results in persistent postinfectious intestinal barrier dysfunctions and mucosal mastocytosis, with other signs suggestive of a low grade inflammation. The altered permeability and the TTX-independent hyporesponsiveness to 5-HT and IgE indicate epithelial alterations. Changes in responses to SP and capsaicin after neuronal blockade suggest an ENS remodeling during this phase. Similar long-lasting neuro-epithelial alterations might contribute to the pathophysiology of functional and postinfectious gastrointestinal disorders.

Topics: Animals; Capsaicin; Chymases; Enteric Nervous System; Gastrointestinal Tract; Inflammation; Intestinal Mucosa; Ion Transport; Male; Mast Cells; Mastocytosis; Neurotransmitter Agents; Permeability; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sensory System Agents; Sodium Channel Blockers; Substance P; Tetrodotoxin; Trichinella spiralis; Trichinellosis

Colitis induced by Trichinella spiralis in rat induces alterations in the spontaneous motor pattern displayed by circular colonic muscle [Auli, M., Fernandez, E., 2005. Characterization of functional and morphological changes in a rat model of colitis induced by T. spiralis. Digestive Diseases and Sciences 50(8), 1432-1443]. We examined the temporal relationship between the severity of inflammation and the altered contractility of the underlying circular muscle as well as the role of NANC inhibitory pathways in the disruption of the motility pattern. Colitis was induced by intrarectal administration of T. spiralis larvae. Responses to acetylcholine (ACh) and increased extracellular potassium as well as the effect of tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 microM), N-nitro-l-arginine (L-NOARG, 1 mM) and apamin (1 microM) were determined in vitro in the organ bath with circular muscle strips from sham-infected and infected rats at days 2-30 postinfection (PI). Microelectrode recordings were performed to study the putative changes in electrical activity of colonic smooth muscle cells. Responses to ACh and KCl were decreased at all days PI compared to sham. Intracellular calcium depletion had a greater inhibitory effect in inflamed tissue (6-14 PI). The effect of TTX, L-NOARG and apamin on the spontaneous contractions was found to be altered in all infected rats, i.e. their effects were transient and milder. Inflamed tissue showed lower resting membrane potential and a decreased duration of inhibitory junction potentials induced by electrical stimulation. These data suggest that the decreased contractility of colonic circular smooth muscle induced by the intrarectal T. spiralis infection results from the impairment of the excitation-contraction coupling, from a persistent hyperpolarization of smooth muscle cells and from impaired NANC inhibitory neurotransmission.

Topics: Acetylcholine; Animals; Apamin; Colitis; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Progression; Electric Stimulation; Enteric Nervous System; Gastrointestinal Motility; Inflammation; Intestines; Male; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth; Nitroarginine; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Signal Transduction; Synaptic Transmission; Tetrodotoxin; Time Factors; Trichinella spiralis; Trichinellosis

Challenge of distal colonic epithelium from Trichinella spiralis-infected guinea pigs with parasite-derived antigen elevated short-circuit current (Isc) for approximately 60 min. The maximum elevation (delta Isc) was approximately 250 microA/cm2 at 5 min after the addition of trichinella antigen. The antigen-induced alterations in Isc were of greater magnitude and duration than those evoked in jejunum. Colonic electrical resistance was transiently reduced after exposure to antigen. There was no significant effect of antigen on electrical parameters of colon from nonimmunized (uninfected) guinea pigs. The antihistamine pyrilamine (10(-5) M) and the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor indomethacin (10(-6) M) reduced the colonic Isc response to antigen by 40% when used in combination but had insignificant effects when used singly. In contrast, the jejunal Isc response to antigen was totally eliminated by the combined use of those inhibitors. Antigenic stimulation of sensitized colon released histamine and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). However, the histamine released was only about one-tenth that stimulated by antigen in the jejunum, and PGE2 released was only one-tenth of that stimulated by bradykinin in the colon. PGE2 was not released after antigenic stimulation of jejunum. The antigen-induced colonic delta Isc was reduced approximately 50% by either furosemide or tetrodotoxin. Although histamine- and indomethacin-sensitive factors contribute greatly to the mediation of the antigen-induced delta Isc in jejunum, these autacoids contribute to a lesser extent to the antigen-induced delta Isc in guinea pig colon.

Topics: Animals; Antigens, Helminth; Bradykinin; Colon; Dinoprostone; Electric Conductivity; Evoked Potentials; Furosemide; Guinea Pigs; Histamine Release; Indomethacin; Jejunum; Male; Pyrilamine; Quinacrine; Reference Values; Tetrodotoxin; Trichinella; Trichinellosis

We examined the release of acetylcholine (ACh) from jejunal longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus preparations in noninfected control rats and in rats infected 6, 23, or 40 days previously with Trichinella spiralis. ACh release was assessed by preincubating the tissue with [3H]choline and measuring the evoked release of tritium. The uptake of 3H was significantly less in tissue from T. spiralis-infected rats compared with control. In tissues from either infected or control animals, electrical field stimulation (30 V, 0.5 ms, 10 Hz for 1 min), or veratridine (6-30 microM) induced 3H release that was tetrodotoxin sensitive. Depolarization by KCl (25-75 mM) also caused 3H release, but this was only partially reduced by tetrodotoxin. Radiochromatographic analysis indicated evoked release of 3H to be almost entirely [3H]ACh. In rats infected 6 days previously with T. spiralis, [3H]ACh release induced by KCl, veratridine, and field stimulation were decreased at least 80%. The suppression of [3H]ACh release induced by veratridine or KCl was fully reversible after 40 days postinfection, but field-stimulated responses remained approximately 50% of control values. These results indicate that T. spiralis infection in the rat is accompanied by a reversible suppression of ACh release from the longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus of the jejunum.

Topics: Acetylcholine; Animals; Choline; Electric Stimulation; Female; In Vitro Techniques; Jejunum; Mice; Mice, Inbred CBA; Muscle, Smooth; Myenteric Plexus; Radioisotope Dilution Technique; Rats; Tetrodotoxin; Trichinellosis; Tritium; Veratridine