ANTHRANOIDS AND THE MUCOSAL IMMUNE-SYSTEM OF THE COLON

Citation
K. Geboes et al., ANTHRANOIDS AND THE MUCOSAL IMMUNE-SYSTEM OF THE COLON, Pharmacology, 47, 1993, pp. 49-57
Citations number
29
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Journal title
ISSN journal
0031-7012
Volume
47
Year of publication
1993
Supplement
1
Pages
49 - 57
Database
ISI
SICI code
0031-7012(1993)47:<49:AATMIO>2.0.ZU;2-G
Abstract
The mechanism of action of anthranoids in general and of sennosides at the cellular level is not precisely known. Pseudomelanosis or pseudol ipofuscinosis, a condition characterized by the accumulation of pigmen ted macrophages in the lamina propria, is one of the well-known effect s of these products. It is most probably the result of an interaction between apoptotic epithelial cells and the lamina propria cellular inf iltrate. Treatment of cell suspensions of intestinal epithelial cells and of human intestinal epithelial cells in culture with rhein anthron e, the active compound of sennosides, demonstrates a direct influence of the drug on these epithelial cells. Low doses induce alterations in cellular shape and organelles consistent with increased metabolism. H igh doses induce apoptotic changes. The interaction between the epithe lial cells and cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage induces also t he release of prostaglandins of the E series as shown by experiments o n cell cultures of epithelial cells and peripheral blood cells. An inc rease of PGE2 release to about 140% of the control value is noted foll owing administration of low doses of rhein anthrone to a combination o f human intestinal epithelial cells and human peripheral blood mononuc lear cells. This finding indicates that rhein anthrone is activating c ellular components of the intestinal immune system and may by this pat hway induce secretion and motility.