Cyclooxygenase pathway mediates the inhibition of Na-glutamine co-transporter B0AT1 in rabbit villus cells during chronic intestinal inflammation

In the mammalian intestine, glutamine assimilation by the absorptive villus cells is mediated by Na-glutamine co-transport, specifically by B0AT1. In a rabbit model of chronic intestinal inflammation, B0AT1 is inhibited secondary to a decrease in the number of co-transporters in the brush border membrane (BBM). This inhibition can be reversed by treatment with a broad-spectrum immune modulator such as glucocorticoid suggesting that immune inflammatory mediators may regulate B0AT1 during chronic intestinal inflammation. Arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites (AAM) are increased during chronic intestinal inflammation. However, whether AAM may regulate B0AT1 during chronic intestinal inflammation is unknown. Treatment of rabbits with ATK, to prevent the release of AAM reversed the inhibition of B0AT1. AAM are products of cyclooxygenase (COX) and/or lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways. Inhibition of COX with piroxicam, therefore reduction of prostaglandin formation in the chronically inflamed intestine, reversed the inhibition of B0AT1 to its normal levels. In contrast, inhibition of LOX with MK886, thus reduction of leukotriene formation during chronic enteritis, did not affect the inhibition of B0AT1. Kinetic studies showed that the mechanism of restoration of B0AT1 by ATK or piroxicam was secondary to the restoration of BBM co-transporter numbers. Western Blot analysis also demonstrated restoration of BBM B0AT1 co-transporter numbers. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Na-glutamine co-transport mediated by B0AT1 in villus cells is regulated by prostaglandins rather than leukotrienes in the chronically inflamed intestine.