Lipopolysaccharide activates the muscularis macrophage network and suppresses circular smooth muscle activity

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a causative agent of sepsis-induced ileus. Although it is known that LPS activates macrophages and initiates inflammation, the consequences of LPS on the macrophage network and a potential inflammatory response within the intestinal muscularis have not been investigated. This study was designed to identify cellular and functional changes in rat intestinal muscularis after intraperitoneal LPS. Histo- and immunohistochemistry were used to phenotype leukocytes. Functional alterations were determined using an organ bath. Compared with controls, LPS caused a 21-fold increase in staining for the lymphocyte activation marker-1 (LFA-1) localized to the ED2+ macrophage network 1 h after injection. This was followed by a significant infiltration of neutrophils, mast cells, and monocytes into the muscularis. LPS also caused a 62% reduction in spontaneous circular muscle activity and a 91% suppression of bethanechol-stimulated contractions 12 h after injection. These results demonstrate that endotoxemia 1) acutely activates the muscularis macrophage network, 2) causes the extravasation of leukocytes, and 3) results in circular muscle impairment.