Background and purpose: Post-operative ileus (POI) is induced by intestinal inflammation. Here, we aimed to clarify the effects of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists against POI.
Experimental approach: We administered three 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, ondansetron, tropisetron and palonosetron, to a mouse model of POI induced by surgical intestinal manipulation (IM). Immunohistochemistry, intestinal transit, inflammatory mediator mRNA expression and 5-HT content were measured. In some experiments, 5-HT3 A receptor null mice were used.
Key results: Three 5-HT3 receptor antagonists reduced IM-induced infiltration of inflammatory CD68-positive macrophages and myeloperoxidase-stained neutrophils. Ondansetron exhibited no anti-inflammatory actions in 5-HT3 A receptor null mice. Ondansetron inhibited expression of the chemokine CCL2, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and iNOS mRNAs up-regulated by IM, and also ameliorated the delayed gastrointestinal transit. Peritoneal macrophages, but not most infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages, expressed 5-HT3 receptors. IM stimulation increased the 5-HT content of peritoneal lavage fluid, which up-regulated mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines in peritoneal macrophages. Immunohistochemical localization of 5-HT3 receptors suggests that ondansetron suppressed expression of these mRNAs in activated peritoneal macrophages, adhering to the serosal region of the inflamed intestinal wall.
Conclusion and implications: 5-HT3 receptor antagonists were anti-inflammatory, mainly targeting peritoneal macrophages expressing these receptors. They also restored the delayed gastrointestinal transit by IM. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists should be therapeutically useful agents against POI.
© 2014 The British Pharmacological Society.