Interleukin-1beta reduces galactose transport in intestinal epithelial cells in a NF-kB and protein kinase C-dependent manner.

Interleukins (IL), aside from their role in the regulation of the immune cascade, they have also been shown to modulate intestinal transport function. IL-1β is a potent inflammatory cytokine involved in many important cellular functions. The aim of this work was to study the in vitro effect of IL-1β on d-galactose transport across intestinal epithelia in rabbit jejunum and Caco-2 cells.

Inhibitory effect of IL-1β on galactose intestinal absorption in rabbits.

Background/aims: Recent studies from our laboratory have shown that nitric oxide is involved in the IL-1β-induced inhibition of D-fructose intestinal transport in rabbits. The aim of this work was to further the studies of IL-1β effect on D-galactose absorption in a septic state induced by intravenous administration of this cytokine.

Methods: Galactose intestinal absorption was assessed employing three techniques: sugar uptake in jejunum everted rings, transepithelial flux in Ussing-type chambers and uptake assays in brush border membrane vesicles.