Growth of rat pancreatic acinar cells quantitated with a monoclonal antibody against the proliferating cell nuclear antigen

The monoclonal antibody PC10 raised against the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was used to study acinar cell replication in the pancreas of rats under different functional conditions. In Western blots, the antibody recognized a single band of 37 kDa in pancreatic homogenates indicating its specificity in this particular species and organ. Three conditions of growth were chosen for immunohistochemical analysis: pancreatic preand postnatal development, pancreatic regeneration after injury, and cholecystokinin-stimulated acinar cell proliferation. The time course of acinar cell replication under each condition was the same as that obtained after tritiated thymidine incorporation with subsequent autoradiography, indicating that the percentage of PCNA-positive cells reflects the pool of cycling cells in the models investigated. However, the absolute number of PCNA-positive cells was two to ten times higher than comparable labeling indices from ³H-thymidine autoradiography. This finding might reflect the half life of PCNA, which exceeds the duration of the S-phase. Thus, PCNA-positive cells not only represent S-phase cells, but also cells that have recently completed the cell cycle.     

Inhibition of cell proliferation by the cholecystokinin antagonist L-364,718

Specific cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor and gastrin receptor antagonists were used to assess what role, if any, these receptors have in autocrine cell growth. Although the cholecystokinin receptor antagonist, L-364,718, inhibited cell proliferation in a broad spectrum of cell lines, the gastrin antagonist, L-365,260, had no effect on cell proliferation. In addition neither added gastrin17, nor sulfated cholecystokinin8, could reverse the inhibitory action of L-364,718. It is proposed that L-364,718 inhibits cell proliferation independently of classical gastrin/CCK receptors.     

Effect of long-term CCK blockade on the pancreatic acinar cell renewal in rats with acute pancreatitis

This study determines the effect of 7-day pretreatment with L364,718 (a potent cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor antagonist) on pancreatic cell turnover during the course of acute pancreatitis (AP) induced in the rat by bile-pancreatic duct obstruction (BPDO). Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry using propidium iodide (PI) and Annexin V staining. Besides altering the pancreatic redox status, long-term CCK blockade inhibited the normal proliferation of acinar cells as indicated by the significant increase in G(0)/G(1)-phase cells and the decrease in G(2)/M-cells found in control rats treated with L364,718 for 7 days. A progressive depletion in pancreatic GSH was found from 3 to 24h after BPDO with similar values in L364,718-pretreated and non-treated rats, which led to a maximum peak in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels 6h after BPDO. However, plasma amylase activity and ascites volume indicated higher severity of AP in L364,718-pretreated rats. CCK blockade enhanced the alterations that appear in cell cycle distribution of acinar cells during AP demonstrated by the significantly higher increase in G(0)/G(1)-cells and decrease in S-cells found in L364,718-treated rats 48h after BPDO. Our results indicate that the renewal of acinar cells deleted by apoptosis 48h after BPDO worsens if CCK is blocked before inducing AP.     

Increased circulating cholecystokinin contributes to anorexia and anxiety behavior in mice overexpressing pancreatic polypeptide

We have previously reported that pancreatic polypeptide (PP) overexpressing mice display thin phenotype with delayed gastric emptying and decreased food intake. In the present study, we further examined if CCK contributes to anorexia and anxiety behavior in PP overexpressing mice. Plasma CCK levels in PP overexpressing mice and their littermates were determined by radioimmunoassay using antisera specific to sulfated CCK-8 and CCK-33. To elucidate the role of CCK in PP overexpressing mice, CCK-1 receptor antagonist (L-364,718) or saline was administered intraperitoneally and food intake was measured for 2 h. CCK-2 antagonist (L-365,260) or saline was injected intraperitoneally and the elevated plus-maze test was performed to assess anxiety. Plasma CCK levels were significantly increased in PP overexpressing mice. Administration of L-364,718 increased food intake in PP overexpressing mice compared to the saline-injected PP overexpressing group, while L-364,718 did not increase food intake in non-transgenic littermates. PP overexpressing mice exhibited anxiety in the plus-maze test. Administration of CCK-2 receptor antagonist (L-365,260) reversed the decreased percentage of entry into the open arms in PP overexpressing mice. These results indicated that elevated CCK may contribute to anorexic and anxious phenotype of PP overexpressing mice.     

Characterization of interactions between CCK-33 and CCK receptors in isolated dispersed pancreatic acini.

In isolated dispersed pancreatic acini, we have characterized the interactions between cholecystokinin (CCK) and CCK receptors by simultaneously measuring CCK-33 immunoreactivity and CCK bioactivity. Incubation of acinar cells with CCK-33 at cell density of 0.2-0.3 mg acinar protein per ml resulted in stimulation of amylase release concomitant with significant and time-dependent decrease of the immunoreactive CCK. With L-364,718 (0.1 microM), a specific CCK receptor antagonist, immunoreactive CCK levels in the media were not significantly altered during incubation; however, CCK-stimulated amylase release was almost completely abolished (94% inhibition). Vasoactive intestinal peptide (1 nM) significantly potentiated CCK stimulated amylase release without affecting immunoreactive CCK in the media. Insulin (167 nM) did not affect the CCK stimulated amylase release or immunoreactive CCK in the media. Incubation of acinar cells with CCK-33 at 4 degrees C did not affect the levels of immunoreactive CCK; however, a significant change in levels of immunoreactive CCK were found at 37 degrees C at 90 min. Incubation of cell free medium with CCK-33 in the presence or absence of secreted enzymes revealed no changes in CCK immunoreactivity in the medium at 90 min. Addition of bacitracin in the incubation media did not affect the CCK immunoreactivity or bioactivity. These findings indicate that in isolated rat pancreatic acini, CCK-33 stimulates amylase release through a receptor that is specifically blocked by L-364,718. Specificity of the interactions of CCK-33 with acinar cells in the media appears to be receptor-mediated and time- and temperature-dependent.     

Dose-related involvement of CCK in bombesin-induced pancreatic growth.

We examined the role of CCK in bombesin-induced pancreatic growth in rats using the CCK receptor antagonist L-364,718. Rats (155 +/- 1 g, 8-10 per group) received subcutaneous injections every 8 h for 5 days with bombesin (0.6, 1.7 and 5 nmol/kg) or bombesin in combination with L-364,718 (1 mg/kg). After 5 days the pancreas was removed and pancreatic weight, protein content, DNA, amylase and chymotrypsin contents were determined. Bombesin produced a significant increase (48-475%) of pancreatic weight, tissue contents of protein, DNA, amylase and chymotrypsinogen (F = 82, P less than 0.001). When a large dose of bombesin (5 nmol/kg) was combined with L-364,718 a significant inhibition (up to 70%) of all tissue parameters was observed (P less than 0.001). L-364,718 did not affect the growth response to a small dose of bombesin (0.6 nmol/kg). Plasma CCK levels 15 min after a single injection of bombesin (0.6, 1.7 and 5 nmol/kg) were significantly increased in response to the 5 nmol/kg dose (2.0 +/- 0.7 to 3.4 +/- 0.8 pM, F = 6.9, P less than 0.01). No increases of CCK plasma levels were found in response to the 0.6 and 1.7 nmol/kg doses of bombesin, corresponding to the lack of effects of L-364,718 on growth parameters at these doses. Measuring the time-course of CCK plasma levels after a single injection of 5 nmol/kg bombesin revealed an increase from basal values of 1.4 +/- 0.3 pM to maximal levels of 3.5 +/- 0.5 pM after 15 min (F = 7.1, P less than 0.001). Values returned to basal after 60 min. These results suggest that low doses of bombesin act directly at the acinar cell or through release of non-CCK growth factors whereas high doses of bombesin act in part through CCK release.     

The effects of antagonists of receptors for gastrin, cholecystokinin and bombesin on growth of gastroduodenal mucosa and pancreas.

The effects of gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK) and bombesin on the DNA synthesis, as a biochemical indicator of trophic action in the gastroduodenal mucosa and the pancreas have been examined in rats fasted for 48 h and in rats refed for 16 h with or without administration of specific receptor antagonists for bombesin, gastrin and CCK. Bombesin and gastrin administered three times daily for 48 h in fasted rats significantly increased the rate of DNA synthesis as measured by the incorporation of [3H] thymidine into DNA in each tissue tested. CCK significantly increased DNA synthesis in the duodenal mucosa and pancreatic tissue, but not in the gastric mucosa. The stimulation of DNA synthesis induced by bombesin in the gastroduodenal mucosa and pancreas was abolished by bombesin/GRP receptor antagonist, RC-3095. RC-3095 did not affect DNA synthesis stimulated by gastrin and CCK in these tissues. L-365,260, a receptor antagonist for gastrin suppressed the DNA synthesis induced by gastrin but not by CCK or bombesin in the gastrointestinal mucosa and pancreas. L-364,718 a specific antagonist for CCK receptors was effective only against CCK stimulated duodenal mucosa and pancreatic growth. Refeeding of 48 h fasting rats strongly enhanced the DNA synthesis in all tissues tested, and this effect was significantly reduced in the gastroduodenal mucosa by blocking only gastrin receptors (with L-365,260) and that in the duodenal mucosa and the pancreas by antagonizing of CCK receptors (with L-364,718). Antagonism of bombesin receptors (with RC-3095) did not significantly affect the stimulation of DNA synthesis induced by refeeding in all tissues tested. This study indicates that the stimulation of DNA synthesis can be achieved by exogenous gastrin, CCK and bombesin acting through separate receptor but that only gastrin and CCK play the major role in the postprandial stimulation of the growth of gastroduodenal mucosa and pancreatic tissue.     

Role of cholecystokinin in the intestinal fat- and acid-induced inhibition of gastric secretion.

This study was designed to determine the role of cholecystokinin (CCK) in the inhibition of gastric HCl secretion by duodenal peptone, fat and acid in dogs with chronic gastric and pancreatic fistulas. Intraduodenal instillation of 5% peptone stimulated both gastric HCl secretion and pancreatic protein secretion and caused significant increments in plasma gastrin and CCK levels. L-364,718, a selective antagonist of CCK-A receptors, caused further increase in gastric HCl and plasma gastrin responses to duodenal peptone but reduced the pancreatic protein outputs in these tests by about 75%. L-365,260, an antagonist of type B receptors, reduced gastric acid by about 25% but failed to influence pancreatic response to duodenal peptone. Addition of 10% oleate or acidification of peptone to pH 3.0 profoundly inhibited acid secretion while significantly increasing the pancreatic protein secretion and plasma CCK levels. Administration of L-364,718 reversed the fall in gastric HCl secretion and significantly attenuated pancreatic protein secretion in tests with both peptone plus oleate and peptone plus acid. Exogenous CCK infused i.v. in a dose (25 pmol/kg per h) that raised plasma CCK to the level similar to that achieved by peptone meal plus fat resulted in similar inhibition of gastric acid response to that attained with fat and this effect was completely abolished by the pretreatment with L-364,718. We conclude that CCK released by intestinal peptone meal, containing fat or acid, exerts a tonic inhibitory influence on gastric acid secretion and gastrin release through the CCK-A receptors.     

The effect of antagonist of receptors for gastrin, cholecystokinin and bombesin on growth of gastroduodenal mucosa and pancreas.

The effects of gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK) and bombesin on the DNA synthesis, as a biochemical indicator of trophic action in the gastroduodenal mucosa and the pancreas, have been examined in rats fasted for 48 h and in rats refed for 16 h with or without administration of specific receptor antagonists for bombesin, gastrin and CCK. Bombesin and gastrin administered three times daily for 48 h in fasted rats significantly increased the rate of DNA synthesis as measured by the incorporation of [3H] thymidine into DNA in each tissue tested. CCK significantly increased DNA synthesis in the duodenal mucosa and pancreatic tissue, but not in the gastric mucosa. The stimulation of DNA synthesis induced by bombesin in the gastroduodenal mucosa and pancreas was abolished by bombesin/GRP receptor antagonist, RC-3095. RC-3095 did not affect DNA synthesis stimulated by gastrin and CCK in these tissues. L-365,260, a receptor antagonist for gastrin suppressed the DNA synthesis induced by gastrin but not by CCK or bombesin in the gastrointestinal mucosa and pancreas. L-364,718, a specific antagonist for CCK receptors was effective only against CCK stimulated duodenal mucosa and pancreatic growth. Refeeding of 48 h fasting rats strongly enhanced the DNA synthesis in all tissues tested, and this effect was significantly reduced in the gastroduodenal mucosa by blocking only gastrin receptors (with L-365, 260) and that in the duodenal mucosa and the pancreas by antagonizing of CCK receptors (with L-364,718). Antagonism of bombesin receptors (with RC-3095) did not significantly affect the stimulation of DNA synthesis induced by refeeding in all tissues tested. This study indicates that the stimulation of DNA synthesis can be achieved by exogenous gastrin, CCK and bombesin acting through separate receptors, but that only gastrin and CCK play the major role in the postprandial stimulation of the growth of gastroduodenal mucosa and pancreatic tissue.     

Secretagogue induction of cell differentiation in pancreatic acinar cells in vitro.

The effect of two different types of secretagogues on rat pancreatic acinar cells cultured onto a reconstituted basement membrane was studied. Cells cultured without any secretagogue were able to reaggregate but did not form monolayer patches. Most of them lost their differentiated ultrastructural characteristics but regained their polarity. In contrast, when CCK, caerulein, or carbamylcholine was added to the culture medium cells developed both acini-like structures and cell monolayer patches. The cells retained the differentiated ultrastructural appearance and polarity resembling their in situ morphology. Furthermore, secretagogue-conditioned cells presented higher amylase contents. The use of secretagogue antagonists such as L-364,718 and L-365,260 for caerulein, or atropine and mecamylamine for carbamylcholine, did not profoundly modify the cultures and the morphological effects triggered by the secretagogues alone. However, both CCK antagonists and cholinergic antagonists inhibited to a certain degree the secretory stimulation. Our data support the theory that a major role is played by secretagogues in conjunction with the basement membrane for the maintenance of differentiation in pancreatic acinar cells in vitro which appears to be independent from their secretory effect.     

Precocious alteration of digestive enzyme activities in small intestine and pancreas by chronic oral administration of protease inhibitor in suckling rats.

1. The role of endogenous CCK in the development of digestive enzyme activities in small intestine and pancreas was investigated in suckling rats. Synthetic protease inhibitor (camostat 100 micrograms/g bwt) was orally administered twice daily for 5 days from 11 days of age. 2. Pancreatic hypertrophy and hyperplasia, and alteration of pancreatic enzyme composition, especially decreases in amylase activity and increases in trypsin and chymotrypsin activities were produced by camostat treatment. These changes were completely suppressed by simultaneous administration of the potent CCK receptor antagonist L-364,718 (1 microgram/g bwt). 3. With camostat treatment, intestinal lactase activity decreased to 41%, while maltase and sucrase activities increased 3 and 2.5 times respectively. These changes in enzyme activities were not affected by the application of L-364,718. 4. The mucosal disaccharidase and pancreatic enzyme activities could not be modified by chronic subcutaneous injection of camostat. The precocious induction of maltase and sucrase activities by camostat treatment was also observed in the adrenalectomized pups. 5. These results indicate that pancreatic growth accompanied by alteration of digestive enzyme composition in the suckling rats is regulated by endogenous CCK, but the precocious induction of disaccharidase activities is not mediated by endogenous CCK released by camostat treatment.     

Pharmacological characterization of cholecystokinin receptors mediating contraction of human gallbladder and ascending colon

Cholecystokinin (CCK) produces contractions of gallbladder and colon in a number of different species. Although the effects of CCK on the human gallbladder are relatively well documented, the CCK receptors in the human colon have not been clearly characterised. Therefore, in this study, the CCK receptors in the human gallbladder and colon were compared using pharmacological techniques. Contraction of specimens of the human tissue was measured using in vitro organ bath bioassay. The effect of selective concentrations of CCK(1) and CCK(2) receptor antagonists (L-364,718 and JB93182, respectively) was determined on agonist concentration-effect (E/[A]) curves obtained by cumulative dosing with sulphated CCK. The CCK(1) antagonist L-364,718 produced a rightward shift of the CCK-8S [E/[A] curve in the human gallbladder (pA(2)=9.15 +/- 0.26) and ascending colon (pA(2)=9.20 +/- .33). In both tissues, the CCK(2) receptor antagonist, JB93182, had no effect on the CCK E/[A] curves. In addition, in the colon, pentagastrin responses were inhibited by L-364,718 but unaffected by JB93182. These data indicate that the CCK-induced contraction of the human colon and gallbladder smooth muscle is mediated solely through the CCK(1) receptor subtype, and the antagonist affinity estimates are consistent with those previously obtained in experiments on animal tissue.     

Effects of exogenous cholecystokinin octapeptide on acquisition of naloxone precipitated withdrawal induced conditioned place aversion in rats

Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), a gut-brain peptide, regulates a variety of physiological behavioral processes. Previously, we reported that exogenous CCK-8 attenuated morphine-induced conditioned place preference, but the possible effects of CCK-8 on aversively motivated drug seeking remained unclear. To investigate the effects of endogenous and exogenous CCK on negative components of morphine withdrawal, we evaluated the effects of CCK receptor antagonists and CCK-8 on the naloxone-precipitated withdrawal-induced conditioned place aversion (CPA). The results showed that CCK2 receptor antagonist (LY-288,513, 10 μg, i.c.v.), but not CCK1 receptor antagonist (L-364,718, 10 μg, i.c.v.), inhibited the acquisition of CPA when given prior to naloxone (0.3 mg/kg) administration in morphine-dependent rats. Similarly, CCK-8 (0.1-1 μg, i.c.v.) significantly attenuated naloxone-precipitated withdrawal-induced CPA, and this inhibitory function was blocked by co-injection with L-364,718. Microinjection of L-364,718, LY-288,513 or CCK-8 to saline pretreated rats produced neither a conditioned preference nor aversion, and the induction of CPA by CCK-8 itself after morphine pretreatments was not significant. Our study identifies a different role of CCK1 and CCK2 receptors in negative affective components of morphine abstinence and an inhibitory effect of exogenous CCK-8 on naloxone-precipitated withdrawal-induced CPA via CCK1 receptor.     

The recovery of acute pancreatitis depends on the enzyme amount stored in zymogen granules at early stages

Little is known about the changes in pancreatic enzyme storage in acute pancreatitis. We have performed flow cytometric studies of zymogen granules from rats with acute pancreatitis induced by hyperstimulation with caerulein. A comparison was made with rats treated with hydrocortisone (10 mg/kg/day) over 7 days before inducing pancreatitis in order to find out whether the amount of enzymes stored in the pancreas plays a key role in the development of pancreatitis. The potentially therapeutic effect of L-364,718 (0.1 mg/kg/day, for 7 days), a CCK receptor antagonist, was assayed in the rats with caerulein-induced pancreatitis which had previously received the hydrocortisone treatment. A significant increase in the intragranular enzyme content was observed 5 h after hyperstimulation with caerulein. The highest values were reached in the rats previously treated with hydrocortisone. The greatest pancreatic enzyme load was parallel to the highest values in plasma amylase, edema and haematocrit observed. Acute pancreatitis was reversed seven days later. At this stage smaller granules appeared in the pancreas whose enzyme content was similar to that of controls when no treatment was applied after pancreatitis. In contrast, L-364,718 administration prevented the favourable evolution of pancreatitis since the antagonism exerted on CCK receptors induced a blockade of secretion of the large amounts of enzymes stored in the pancreas. Moreover, the enzyme content in zymogen granules was below normal values since the stimulatory CCK action on enzyme synthesis can be inhibited by L-364,718. Our results suggest that the efficiency of CCK antagonists, as potential therapy, would also depend on the load of enzymes in the pancreas when acute pancreatitis is produced.     

Potency of L-364,718 as an antagonist of the behavioral effects of peripherally administered cholecystokinin

A new antagonist of the peripheral cholecystokinin receptor, L-364,718, was found to block the reductions in food intake and exploratory activity induced by intraperitoneal administration of cholecystokinin octapeptide sulfate. L-364,718 significantly reversed the cholecystokinin-induced reduction in feeding at doses of 10 micrograms/kg - 10 mg/kg i.p. L-364,718 significantly reversed the cholecystokinin-induced reduction in exploratory activity at doses of 500 ng/kg - 10 mg/kg i.p. The time course of antagonist activity of L-364,718 was immediate to 90 minutes after intraperitoneal administration. L-364,718 had no significant effect on food intake or exploratory activity when administered alone, over the dose range of 100 ng/kg-10 mg/kg i.p. This compound appears to be at least one hundred times more potent than proglumide or benzotript as an antagonist of the behavioral effects of peripherally administered cholecystokinin.     

The importance of gastric secretion in the feedback control of interdigestive and postprandial pancreatic secretion in rats.

Previous studies demonstrated that pancreatic enzyme secretion in rats is stimulated by the diversion of pancreatic juice from the duodenum or by the inhibition of pancreatic proteinases in the intestinal lumen but little attention has been paid to the role of gastric secretion in this stimulation. This study, carried out on conscious rats with large gastric (GF) and pancreatic fistulas, confirms that diversion of pancreatic juice in rats with the GF closed results in the progressive stimulation of pancreatic secretion reaching the maximum similar to that induced by exogenous CCK. When the GF was kept open, the diversion resulted in only small increment in pancreatic secretion and this was accompanied by progressive increase in gastric acid outputs. Similar amounts of HCl (25-400 mumol/h) instilled intraduodenally (i.d.) in rats with the GF open fully reproduced the increase in pancreatic secretion observed after the diversion of pancreatic juice and this effect was completely abolished by the pretreatment with L-364,718, a specific CCK receptor antagonist. Pretreatment with omeprazole to suppress completely gastric acid secretion in the diverted state resulted in a decline in pancreatic secretion similar to that observed after opening the GF. Camostate given in graded doses (6-200 mg/kg) either i.d. or s.c. in rats with pancreatic juice returned to the duodenum caused a dose-dependent increase in pancreatic secretion, but after opening the GF or after omeprazole this increase was reduced by about 50% while after L-364,718 it was abolished. This study provides evidence that gastric secretion plays an important role in the pancreatic response to diversion of pancreatic juice or inhibition of luminal proteinases (but not to feeding) and the elimination of gastric acid reduces this response.     

c-Jun/AP-1 is required for CCK-induced pancreatic acinar cell dedifferentiation and DNA synthesis in vitro

Endogenous CCK plays an important role in pancreatic regeneration after pancreatitis. We used primary culture of mouse pancreatic acinar cells to evaluate the effect of CCK on acinar cell morphology and gene expression and to determine signaling pathways required for proliferation of acinar cells in vitro. Over 4 days in culture, cells grew out from acini and formed patches of monolayer, which displayed a reduced expression of acinar cell markers including digestive enzymes and Mist1 and an increased expression of ductal and embryonic markers, including cytokeratin 7, β-catenin, E-cadherin, pdx-1, and nestin. There was no appearance of stellate cell markers. CCK enhanced cellular spreading, DNA synthesis, and cyclin D1 expression. When signaling pathways were evaluated, CCK stimulation increased c-Jun expression, JNK and ERK activity, and AP-1 activation. Chemical inhibitors of JNK and ERK pathways, dominant-negative JNK and c-Jun, and c-Jun shRNA significantly inhibited CCK-induced DNA synthesis, CCK-induced AP-1 activation, and cyclin D1 expression. Furthermore, dominant-negative c-Jun reduced the increased expression of β-catenin and the decreased expression of amylase during culture. These results show that MAPK/c-Jun/AP-1 pathway plays an important role in pancreatic acinar cell dedifferentiation and proliferation in culture. Monolayer culture can serve as a model to study acinar cell proliferation similar to regeneration after pancreatitis in vivo.     

CCK antagonists interact with CCK-B receptors on human small cell lung cancer cells

The ability of cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor antagonists to interact with CCK receptors in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells was investigated. L-365,260, CCK-8, L-364,718, CBZ-CCK(27-32)-NH2 and proglumide analogue 10 inhibited specific 125I-CCK-8 binding to SCLC cells with IC50 values of 0.2, 2, 500, 100,000 and 500,000 nM, respectively. Gastrin-I and CCK-8 elevated the cytosolic Ca2+ when SCLC cells were loaded with Fura 2-AM. L-365,260 inhibited the cytosolic Ca2+ increase caused by 10 nM CCK-8 in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of 10 nM L-365,260 were reversed by high concentrations of CCK-8. These data indicate that L-365,260 functions as a reversible CCK-8 antagonist using SCLC cells.     

Anti-inflammatory effects of leptin and cholecystokinin on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats: role of capsaicin-sensitive vagal afferent fibers

Leptin and cholecystokinin (CCK) have a synergistic interaction in the suppression of food intake, and afford similar gastroprotective activity. The present study was designed to investigate the putative protective effects of CCK and leptin on acute colonic inflammation. Leptin or CCK-8s was injected to rats intraperitoneally immediately before and 6 h after the induction of colitis with acetic acid. CCK-A receptor antagonist (L-364,718) or CCK-B receptor antagonist (L-365,260) was injected intraperitoneally 15 min before leptin or CCK treatments. In a group of rats, vagal afferent fibers were denervated by topical application of capsaicin on the cervical vagi. Rats were decapitated at 24 h, and the distal 8 cm of the colon were removed for macroscopic scoring, determination of tissue wet weight index (WWI), histologic assessment and tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. All inflammation parameters were increased by acetic acid-induced colitis compared to control group. Leptin or CCK-8s treatment reduced these parameters in a similar manner, while co-administration of leptin and CCK was found to be more effective in reducing the macroscopic score and WWI. CCK-8s-induced reduction in the score and WWI was prevented by CCK-A, but not by CCK-B receptor antagonist, whereas neither antagonist altered the inhibitory effect of leptin on colitis-induced injury. On the other hand, perivagal capsaicin prevented the protective effects of both CCK-8s and leptin on colitis. Our results indicate that leptin and CCK have anti-inflammatory effects on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats, which appear to be mediated by capsaicin-sensitive vagal afferent fibers involving the reduction in colonic neutrophil infiltration.