Regulation of intestinal morphology and GALT by pituitary hormones in the rat

Abstract

Here, the effects of neurointermediate (NIL), anterior (AL), and total hypophysectomy (HYPOX) on ileal mucosa cells and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) are reported. Compared with the sham-operated (SHAM) rats, the villi height and goblet cells numbers were significantly decreased in all groups. Lamina propria area decreased in AL and HYPOX, but not in NIL animals. CD8(+) but not CD4(+) lymphocytes decreased in the HYPOX and NIL groups. Paneth cells did not change, while IgA cells, IgM cells, and secretory IgA were significantly decreased in all groups. NIL but not AL animals lost significant numbers of IgA cells and secretory IgA. In summary, pituitary hormones exert lobe-specific regulatory effects on the gut and on GALT.

Regulation of Intestinal Immune Response by Selective Removal of the Anterior, Posterior, or Entire Pituitary Gland in Trichinella spiralis Infected Golden Hamsters

“…Additionally, GH is also capable to activate human monocytes for an enhanced intermediate ROS production in vitro [51], [52]. We have also reported that HYPOX and NIL, causes increasing bacterial colonization of Peyer patches and spleen, accompanied by a decrease in the intestinal secretory profile of IgA, as well as low IgM and IgG serum levels during the intestinal infection with Salmonella serovar typhimurium [1], [3]. All together this information supports the view that both GH and neurohypophysial hormones might play a role as stimulators/modulators of the immune system in peripheral and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT).…”

“…These findings are similar in hypophysectomized (HYPOX) rats orally infected with sub-lethal doses of Salmonella serovar typhimurium , which developed an increased colonization of Peyer patches and spleen (Campos-Rodríguez et al, 2006), whereas the intraperitoneal infection was reversed to normal when GH was administrated [30]. In rats subjected to HYPOX, neuro-intermediate pituitary lobectomy (NIL), and anterior pituitary lobectomy (AL), AVP plays an important role as immunomodulatory hormone on innate and acquired immunity [1], [3], [21], [32]–[34]. Regarding the ileal mucosa-GALT, evidence indicates that in basal conditions, AVP regulates the number of CD4 and CD8 lamina propria lymphocytes, IgM and IgA producing cells, and IgA secretion, as well as intraepithelial CD8+ T cells numbers [1], [3].…”

“…In rats subjected to HYPOX, neuro-intermediate pituitary lobectomy (NIL), and anterior pituitary lobectomy (AL), AVP plays an important role as immunomodulatory hormone on innate and acquired immunity [1], [3], [21], [32]–[34]. Regarding the ileal mucosa-GALT, evidence indicates that in basal conditions, AVP regulates the number of CD4 and CD8 lamina propria lymphocytes, IgM and IgA producing cells, and IgA secretion, as well as intraepithelial CD8+ T cells numbers [1], [3]. Whereas, in response to sub-lethal doses of Salmonella serovar typhimurium [1], NIL animals, with low AVP serum levels, developed a higher Salmonella serovar typhimurium colonization in the Peyer patches and spleen, and decreased intestinal IgA and serum anti salmonella IgM and IgG levels [1].…”