Acute-phase hepatocytes regulate liver sinusoidal cell mediator production.

BACKGROUND: Overproduction of liver sinusoidal cell (LCS) mediators in response to endotoxemia or gram-negative infection that follows tissue injury may contribute to hepatic dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To better define the role of hepatocyte-derived acute-phase reactants in the regulation of sinusoidal cell mediator production following sequential insults, we tested the hypothesis that interleukin-6 (IL-6) prestimulation alters hepatocyte regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated sinusoidal cell tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IL-6, and nitric oxide production. METHODS: Hepatocytes and LSCs were isolated from Wistar rats, and in vitro responses were compared between LSCs alone and hepatocyte-LSC cocultures. Cocultures and LSCs alone were sequentially stimulated with IL-6 (5000 U/mL) then LPS (dose-response), and culture supernatants were analyzed for TNF (L929 cytolysis), IL-6 (7TD1 proliferation), and nitric oxide (Griess reaction). Induction of acute-phase protein synthesis by the stimulation of hepatocytes with IL-6 and dexamethasone (0.1 mumol/L) was assayed by methionine radiolabeling and SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Coculture levels of messenger RNA for TNF-alpha and IL-6 were examined by RNA extraction and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction with specific primers. RESULTS: Interleukin-6 and dexamethasone signal hepatocyte acute-phase protein synthesis. Prestimulation of cocultures, but not of LSCs alone, with IL-6 inhibits LPS-stimulated IL-6 and nitric oxide production significantly. Bioactivity of TNF is reduced to a lesser extent. Polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated similar levels of TNF and IL-6 message following sequential stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Interleukin-6-stimulated acute-phase hepatocytes limit LPS-stimulated coculture cytokine bioactivity and nitric oxide production. This hepatocyte response may provide a local counterregulatory mechanism to limit LSC-mediated injury.

Sequential insult enhances liver macrophage-signaled hepatocyte dysfunction.

Injury results in altered hepatocyte protein synthesis including the production of acute-phase reactants. Evidence suggests that these hepatocyte products regulate macrophage function; however, their role in liver macrophage-mediated hepatocyte dysfunction following a second insult is poorly characterized. We hypothesize that IL-6-stimulated hepatocyte products alter liver macrophage responses to lipopolysaccharide, contributing to enhanced hepatocyte dysfunction. To test this hypothesis, hepatocytes, obtained by liver collagenase digestion, were treated with rIL-6 (murine, 300 units/ml) for 24 hr, and then liver macrophages, obtained by perfusion and pronase digestion, were added to establish cocultures. Cocultures were then stimulated with endotoxin (LPS, Escherichia coli O111:B4, 10 micrograms/ml) and hepatocyte dysfunction was assessed by determining secretory protein synthesis ([35S]methionine labeling, trichloracetic acid precipitation, and SDS-PAGE) and energy metabolism [mitochondrial respiration using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) dye]. Cultures of hepatocytes alone stimulated with IL-6, LPS, or sequential IL-6 followed by LPS demonstrate no difference in total secretory protein synthesis or mitochondrial respiration. In contrast, hepatocyte-liver macrophage cocultures demonstrate significantly reduced total secretory protein synthesis following sequential IL-6 followed by LPS ([35S]methionine cpm x 10(3): control, 33.8 +/- 8.5; LPS, 25.8 +/- 6.3; IL-6/LPS, 15.7 +/- 6.4; P < 0.05 vs control). This effect is specific to IL-6 since sequential TNF-alpha followed by LPS did not result in significant suppression of secretory protein synthesis. One-dimensional SDS-PAGE of labeled coculture secretory proteins demonstrates qualitative changes following sequential insult in vitro compared to controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of naloxone on cardiovascular responses to static exercise and behavior in conscious cats.

Conscious cats performing static (isometric) exercise were studied before and after administration of the opiate antagonist naloxone in order to evaluate the possible role of endogenous opiates in regulating cardiovascular responses to static exercise. Intravenous administration (0.4 mg/kg) of naloxone had no effect on resting left ventricular systolic pressure or on heart rate. In addition, similar increases in left ventricular systolic pressure and heart rate occurred during static exercise both before and after naloxone. However, naloxone reduced the number of exercise events the cats would perform per day. We conclude that moderate doses of naloxone do not modulate the cardiovascular responses to moderate static exercise in conscious cats. The results do indicate that endogenous opiates are involved in regulating the number of exercise bouts the cats will perform per day.