Effect of lipopolysaccharide on peptide transporter 1 expression in rat small intestine and its attenuation by dexamethasone

Background/Aim: The peptide transporter (PepT1) activity is upregulated or preserved under certain pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the PepT1 expression during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment and the effect of dexamethasone on PepT1 expression. Methods: Rats were injected daily for 3 days with (1) LPS; (2) LPS plus dexamethasone; (3) dexamethasone, and (4) saline only. Mucosal specimens were used for Northern blot and Western blot analyses. Tissues of small intestine were taken for histological studies. In addition, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 β levels were determined 3 h after single injections of the above mediators. Results: Northern blot analysis revealed that LPS treatment significantly decreased the expression of mRNA for PepT1 (32-62% of controls) at different time points. In the LPS + dexamethasone group, it was 66-95% of controls. The protein level of PepT1 in the jejunum was consistent with the mRNA expression level. Imunohistochemistry also showed a reduction of PepT1 immunoreactivity in the LPS group. LPS treatment resulted in increased tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 β levels, but dexamethasone treatment profoundly counteracted the cytokine production. Conclusions: This is the first report that LPS treatment reduces PepT1 expression in the rat small intestine. Short-term treatment with dexamethasone attenuated the effects of LPS by decreasing the cytokine levels.