The effect of Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 on endotoxemia-induced intestinal apoptosis in infant rats

J Mol Histol. 2012 Feb;43(1):81-7. doi: 10.1007/s10735-011-9379-6. Epub 2011 Dec 6.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632 on the intestinal apoptosis in endotoxemic infant rats. Wistar albino 15-17-day-old rat pups (n = 21) were randomized to three experimental groups: (1) controls; (2) endotoxemia (LPS); and (3) endotoxemia treated with Y-27632 (LPS + Y-27632). Endotoxemia was induced in rats by intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of lipopolysaccharide (Escherichia coli serotype 0111:B4; 10 mg/kg). Y-27632 was administered 5 mg/kg i.p at three times, just, 8 and 16 h after LPS injection. Twenty-four hours after LPS injection, intestinal apoptosis was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay and immunohistochemistry for active caspase-3. Endotoxemia induced extensive apoptotic injury in the intestinal tissues. The administration of Y-27632 to endotoxemic infant rats caused a marked decrease in the number of apoptotic cells in both intestinal epithelium and lamina propria. In conclusion, the inhibition of Rho kinase with Y-27632 diminished the intestinal apoptotic damage induced by endotoxemia in infant rats.

MeSH terms

  • Amides / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Endotoxemia / chemically induced
  • Endotoxemia / enzymology*
  • Endotoxemia / pathology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Intestines / drug effects*
  • Intestines / enzymology*
  • Intestines / pathology
  • Lipopolysaccharides / administration & dosage
  • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • rho-Associated Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Amides
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Pyridines
  • Y 27632
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • Caspase 3