Acidosis and Lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli B:055 Cause Hyperpermeability of Rumen and Colon Tissues

• Published in: Journal of dairy science Vol. 90; no. 12; pp. 5552 - 5557
• Main Authors: Emmanuel, D.G.V., Madsen, K.L., Churchill, T.A., Dunn, S.M., Ametaj, B.N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Savoy, IL Elsevier Inc 01.12.2007; American Dairy Science Association; Am Dairy Sci Assoc
• Subjects: acidosis; Animal productions; animal tissues; Animals; Bacterial Translocation - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Cattle; Cell Membrane Permeability - physiology; colon; Colon - metabolism; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli B; Escherichia coli B:055; Food industries; Food microbiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism; Intestinal Mucosa - microbiology; Intestinal Mucosa - physiology; lipopolysaccharide; lipopolysaccharides; Lipopolysaccharides - pharmacology; Male; Mannitol - pharmacokinetics; mucosa; mucosal permeability; permeability; rumen; Rumen - metabolism; Terrestrial animal productions; Time Factors; Tissue Culture Techniques - veterinary; Tritium; Vertebrates; cattle; lipopolysaccharide; mucosal permeability; acidosis; Farming animal; Digestive system; Escherichia coli; Rumen; Permeability; Tissue; Dairy industry; Lipopolysaccharide; Bacteria; Livestock; Colon; Acidosis; Enterobacteriaceae
• ISSN: 0022-0302; 1525-3198
• DOI: 10.3168/jds.2007-0257

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of acidic pH of the perfusate and presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on permeability of rumen and colon mucosal tissues to mannitol and LPS using the Ussing chamber system. Rumen and colon tissues (n = 8), obtained from slaughtered feedlot steers, were tested for changes in permeability to 3H-mannitol under pH of 4.5, 5.5, and 6.5 for rumen and at 5.5, 6.5, and 7.4 for colon, with or without LPS from Escherichia coli B:055 at 500μg/mL. The 3H-Mannitol was added at 10μL (525.4 GBq/mmol) on the mucosal side of the Ussing chamber to detect changes in permeability, and 4 samples were taken at 20, 25, 30, and 35min from the serosal side. Permeability of rumen and colon mucosa to 3H-mannitol increased 6- and 5-fold, respectively, at acidic pH values of 4.5 and 5.5 and in the presence of 500μg/mL of LPS. In contrast, LPS did not affect rumen and colon permeability at pH that ranged from 5.5 and 7.4. Translocation of LPS across the rumen and colon mucosa of cattle was not pH dependent. The LPS translocated through these tissues if present at the mucosal side. In conclusion, the permeability of rumen and colon tissues to 3H-mannitol increased in presence of LPS and under acidic pH, whereas LPS permeated through mucosal tissues independently of the pH of the perfusate. Further research is warranted to understand the mechanism(s) by which acidic pH of the rumen digesta and presence of LPS make rumen and colon tissues “leaky”.