ABSTRACT
The polypeptide interleukin-1 (IL-1) is one of the key mediators of the body’s response to infection, inflammation, immunological reactions and tissue injury. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are increased in human and experimental colitis and may contribute to increased blood flow, anion secretion, smooth muscle dysfunction, and epithelial cell proliferation. Like hormones, IL-1 acts in autocrine, paracrine and systemic fashion as it stimulates the producing cells, local tissues or distant sites. Similar to other inflammatory mediators, IL-1 may have, , under different conditions, a beneficial effect when administered prior to a disease-inducing event. The data lead to the conclusion that IL-1 plays a major role in the pathogenesis of colonic inflammation. Although there are few studies showing an IL-1 effect on colonic smooth muscle from colitis subjects as well as from experimental model of colitis, the multiple biological properties of IL-1 suggest that IL-1 may contribute to the smooth muscle dysfunction seen in colitis.
