Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) attenuates ischemia reperfusion-induced alterations in intestinal immunity

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on immunoglobulin A (IgA) secretion from Peyer’s patch (PP) cells; to assess rat alpha-defensin-5 (RD-5) expression in the rat small intestine; and to determine the effect of GABA on intestinal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury-induced intestinal innate immunity. We found that GABA caused an increase in IgA secretion in the presence and absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Moreover, GABA also significantly increased the mRNA levels of RD-5 and superoxide dismutase (Sod) 1, 3. Intestinal I/R was induced by a 30-min occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery followed by a reperfusion for 60-min. This led to a significant decrease in IgA secretion, and mRNA levels of RD-5 and Sod 1-3 in the ileum. On the other hand, administration of GABA before I/R induction had a significant protective effect against oxidative injury and attenuated the effects on intestinal immunity.