CCK1-Receptor Stimulation Protects Against Gut Mediator-Induced Lung Damage During Endotoxemia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cholecystokinin 1-receptor (CCK1-R) activation by long chain fatty acid (LCFA) absorption stimulates vago-vagal reflex pathways in the brain stem. The present study determines whether this reflex also activates the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, a pathway known to modulate cytokine release during endotoxemia. METHODS: Mesenteric lymph was obtained from wild type (WT) and CCK1-R knockout (CCK1-R(−/−)) mice intraperitoneally challenged with Lipopolysaccharid (LPS) (endotoxemic lymph, EL) and intestinally infused with vehicle or LCFA-enriched solution. The lymph was analyzed for TNFα, IL-6 and IL-10 concentration and administered to healthy recipient mice via jugular infusion. Alveolar wall thickness, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and TUNEL positive cells were determined in lung tissue of recipient mice. RESULTS: LCFA infusion in WT mice reduced TNFα concentration in EL by 49% compared to vehicle infusion, but had no effect in CCK1-R(−/−) mice. EL significantly increased the alveolar wall thickness, the number of MPO-positive and TUNEL-positive cells compared to control lymph administration. LCFA infusion in WT, but not in CCK1R(−/−) mice, significantly reduced these pathological effects of EL. CONCLUSION: During endotoxemia enteral LCFA absorption reduces TNFα release into mesenteric lymph and attenuates histomorphologic parameters of lung dysfunction. Failure to elicit this effect in CCK1R(−/−) mice demonstrates that anti-inflammatory properties of LCFAs are mediated through CCK1-Rs.