Effect of bombesin on impairment of upper respiratory tract immunity induced by total parenteral nutrition.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of the neuropeptide bombesin on total parenteral nutrition-induced impairment of upper respiratory tract immunity.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
Thirty-six adult male Institute for Cancer Research mice weighing 25 to 35 g.


METHODS
Mice were inoculated intranasally with H1N1 virus. At 3 weeks, mice were randomized to receive chow plus intravenous saline (n = 12), intravenous total parenteral nutrition (n = 12), or intravenous total parenteral nutrition plus bombesin (n = 12) administered 3 times daily at 15 micrograms/kg. After 5 days, mice were rechallenged with intranasal virus and killed at 40 hours to determine viral shedding from the respiratory tract; normal convalescent mice do not shed virus because of intact IgA-mediated mechanisms.


METHODS
Viral shedding was determined by collection of nasal secretions. Samples were diluted and incubated with a suspension of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Viral growth was determined by hemagglutination.


RESULTS
Body weight was similar between the total parenteral nutrition and bombesin groups; however, both were significantly lower than that in the chow group (P < .05). After 6 days of feeding, no mice in the chow group shed virus, compared with 6 (50%) of the mice in the total parenteral nutrition group. Of the mice in the bombesin group, only 1 was positive for viral shedding. The total parenteral nutrition group showed increased viral shedding compared with both the chow group (P < .01) and the bombesin group (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Exogenous administration of bombesin reversed the total parenteral nutrition-associated impairment of upper respiratory tract immunity to an IgA-mediated infectious challenge. These observations support the concept of a common mucosal immune system, since neuropeptides are endogenous to the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Hormonal modulation of immunity is a promising avenue of treatment for patients who require total parenteral nutrition.
Janu
P G
PG
Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee at Memphis, USA.
Kudsk
K A
KA
Li
J
J
Renegar
K B
KB
D000818:Animals; D001839:Bombesin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D017201:Virus Shedding
D001839:Bombesin