The intestinal epithelium forms a regulated and selectively permeable barrier that allows transcellular and paracellular passage of luminal nutrients, water and ions, but restricts the access of potentially harmful substances. Several intestinal diseases are associated with the disruption of epithelial barrier function, particularly inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)⁽Reference Turner¹⁾. Although it is not clear whether intestinal barrier dysfunction is involved in the initiation or is the result of intestinal inflammation, it is likely that this dysfunction may perpetuate the stimulation of the mucosal immunity. In fact, epithelial cells are recognized to play a key role in the innate and adaptive immune responses.

Eicosanoids are lipid mediators synthesized from membrane arachidonic acid (n-6 PUFA) through three distinct pathways: cyclooxygenase (COX), lipooxygenase (LOX) and cytochrome P450 pathways. We recently demonstrated that the addition of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) to differentiated Caco-2 cells induces the disruption of epithelial barrier function⁽Reference Martin-Venegas, Roig-Perez and Ferrer²⁾. Moreover, this eicosanoid is increased in the mucosa of IBD patients⁽Reference Hommes, Meenan and de Haas^3, Reference Berg, Zhang and Weinstock⁴⁾. The objective of this study was to investigate in differentiated Caco-2 cell monolayers, the potential of different eicosanoids to disrupt paracellular permeability (PP). For this purpose, the cells were grown on polycarbonate filters with a pore size of 0.4 μm (Transwell®, 4×10⁵ cells/cm²) for 21 days. PP was assessed from transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and apical to basolateral D-mannitol fluxes (0.4 μCi/ml D-[2-³H]mannitol) in cultures maintained for 3 h with different eicosanoids in the apical and basolateral compartments.

In contrast to PGE₂, PGD₂, another COX pathway derived product, did not modify PP. As for the LOX pathway, 5-, 12- and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (5-, 12(R)-, 12(S)- and 15-HETE) increased PP although 12(R)- and 12(S)-isomers did not change TER. Another LOX metabolite, leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) did not exert any effect, whereas LTD₄ increased D-mannitol fluxes without changes on TER. Finally, the cytochrome P450 products, 11,12- and 14,15- epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (11,12- and 14,15-EET) did not alter epithelial barrier function.

Table 1. Effect of eicosanoids on PP expressed as percentage of the treatment condition with respect to the control condition (means±sem)

*P<0.05 v. control (11.67±0.79 fmol/cm², 200.39±2.63 Ω.cm²).

In conclusion, we have demonstrated that different eicosanoids are able to disrupt epithelial barrier function leading to the diffusion of luminal solutes as well as pathogens and toxins through the intercellular space thus triggering mucosal immune responses.