HUMAN THORACIC-DUCT LYMPH INHIBITS LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE-INDUCED RELEASEOF CYTOKINES

Oral starvation causes gut atrophy and breakdown of barrier function, which can lead to transport of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) across the int estinal mucosa. Since triglyceride-rich lipoproteins can inhibit lipop olysaccharide-induced cytokine release, it can be hypothesized that en teral feeding protects the body against translocated LPS at the level of the thoracic duct by increasing the levels of triglycerides in thor acic duct lymph. We sought to determine the LPS-neutralizing capacity of human chyle by measuring LPS-induced cytokine production in vitro i n the presence or absence of thoracic duct lymph. Moreover, we assesse d whether enteral administration of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins cha nged the ability of lymph to influence LPS activity. Indeed, the prese nce of 10% and 100% triglyceride-poor and triglyceride-rich lymph indu ced a significant reduction in the TNF and IL-6 production elicited by LPS. However, there was no difference in the extent of inhibition of cytokine-release by triglyceride-poor and triglyceride-rich lymph. Thi s study shows that lymph can inhibit LPS activity. This is not affecte d by prior enteral administration of triglycerides.