Mechanism underlying tumor necrosis factor-alpha suppression of norepinephrine release from rat myenteric plexus

We studied the effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on the release of [3H]norepinephrine ([3H]NE) from longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus preparations of rat jejunum. TNF-alpha had no immediate effect on [3H]NE release. Preincubation of the tissue with TNF-alpha caused a suppression of [3H]NE release stimulated by KCl or electrical field stimulation. The action of TNF-alpha was time and concentration dependent (0.1-50 ng/ml) and was not due to endotoxin contamination. The effect of TNF-alpha was biphasic, occurring after 30 min and again after 120 min of preincubation. The early component was independent of protein synthesis but was inhibited by piroxicam or indomethacin, indicating the involvement of cyclooxygenase metabolites. The late component was dependent on protein synthesis, was blocked by an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, and was inhibited by piroxicam or indomethacin. These results indicate that TNF-alpha suppresses NE release by two mechanisms, one of which is due to the synthesis and release of interleukin-1, each involving arachidonic acid metabolites.