Small intestine neuromuscular dysfunction in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium-induced ileitis: Involvement of dopaminergic neurotransmission.

Aims: Anomalies in dopaminergic machinery have been shown in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and preclinical models of IBD. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the impact of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ileitis on enteric dopaminergic pathways.

Materials And Methods: Male C57/Bl6 mice (10 ± 2 weeks old) received 2% DSS in drinking water for 5 days and were then switched to regular drinking water for 3 days. To measure ileitis severity inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6) levels were assessed. Changes in ileal muscle tension were isometrically recorded following: 1) cumulative addition of dopamine on basal tone (0.1-1000 μM); ii) 4-Hz electric field stimulation (EFS) in the presence of 30 μM dopamine with/without 10 μM SCH-23390 (dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) antagonist) or 10 μM sulpiride (D2R antagonist). Immunofluorescence distribution of the neuronal HuC/D protein, glial S100β marker, D1R, and dopamine transporter (DAT) were determined in longitudinal-muscle-myenteric plexus whole-mounts (LMMPs) by confocal microscopy. D1R and D2R mRNA transcripts were evaluated by qRT-PCR.

Key Findings: DSS caused an inflammatory process in the small intestine associated to dysmotility and altered barrier permeability, as suggested by decreased fecal output and enhanced stool water content. DSS treatment caused a significant increase of DAT and D1R myenteric immunoreactivity as well as of D1R and D2R mRNA levels, accompanied by a significant reduction of dopamine-mediated relaxation, involving primarily D1-like receptors.

Significance: Mouse ileitis affects enteric dopaminergic neurotransmission mainly involving D1R-mediated responses. These findings provide novel information on the participation of dopaminergic pathways in IBD-mediated neuromuscular dysfunction.