Central activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway reduces surgical inflammation in experimental post-operative ileus.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve reduces intestinal inflammation following mechanical handling, thereby shortening post-operative ileus in mice. Previous studies in a sepsis model showed that this cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway can be activated pharmacologically by central administration of semapimod, an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. We therefore evaluated the effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) semapimod on intestinal inflammation and post-operative ileus in mice.

Experimental approach

Mice underwent a laparotomy or intestinal manipulation 1 h after i.c.v. pre-treatment with semapimod (1 µg·kg(-1) ) or saline. Drugs were administered through a cannula placed in the left lateral ventricle 1 week prior to expe

SUBMITTER: The F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3130947 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature