Treatment of endotoxemic mice with anti-interleukin-6 antibody paradoxically increases interleukin-6 levels and stimulates mucosal protein synthesis.
OBJECTIVE
To test the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the regulation of mucosal protein synthesis during endotoxemia.


METHODS
Three series of experiments were performed: (1) mice were injected with different doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and protein synthesis was measured in jejunal mucosa at various time points up to 24 hours after injection of LPS; (2) mice were pretreated with anti-IL-6 antibody before injection of LPS; and (3) mice were injected with recombinant IL-6 and mucosal protein synthesis was measured 24 hours later.


RESULTS
Treatment of mice with LPS resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase in mucosal protein synthesis. Pretreatment of endotoxemic mice with anti-IL-6 antibody resulted in a paradoxical increase in plasma and tissue levels of IL-6 and a further increase in mucosal protein synthesis. Administration of IL-6 to normal mice resulted in increased mucosal protein synthesis.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in mucosal protein synthesis seen during endotoxemia may be regulated at least in part by IL-6.
Wang
Q
Q
Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Fischer
J E
JE
Hasselgren
P O
PO
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D019446:Endotoxemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis
D000906:Antibodies; D015850:Interleukin-6