Increased gut-derived norepinephrine release in sepsis: up-regulation of intestinal tyrosine hydroxylase

Studies have shown that increased gut-derived norepinephrine (NE) release plays an important role in producing hepatocellular dysfunction at the early stage of sepsis. Although the gut has been demonstrated to be the major source of NE in sepsis, it remains unknown whether the increased NE is associated with up-regulation of intestinal NE biosynthesis enzymes such as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH). To determine this, adult male rats were subjected to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) followed by fluid resuscitation. Small intestinal samples were harvested at 2 h (i.e., early sepsis) or 20 h (late sepsis) after CLP or sham-operation. Protein levels of TH and DBH were determined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Their gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR technique. The results indicate that intestinal TH protein levels increased significantly at 2 and 20 h after CLP, while DBH was not altered under such conditions. Immunohistochemical examination shows that both TH and DBH were located in intestinal sympathetic nerve fibers and TH staining was markedly increased in septic animals. TH gene expression increased significantly at 2 h but not at 20 h after CLP, while DBH gene expression was not altered in sepsis. Thus, the increased TH gene and protein expression appears to be responsible for the increased gut-derived NE in sepsis.