Direct Effect of Lipopolysaccharide and Histamine on Permeability Barrier of Rumen Epithelium

Abstract Background: Disruption of the ruminal epithelium barrier occurs during subacute ruminal acidosis due to low pH, hyper-osmolality, and increased concentrations of lipopolysaccharide and histamine in ruminal fluid. However, the individual roles of lipopolysaccharide and histamine in the process of ruminal epithelium barriers disruption are not clear. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the direct effect of lipopolysaccharide and histamine on barrier function of the ruminal epithelium. Results: Compared with control (CON), lipopolysaccharide (HIS) increased the short-circuit current (Isc) (88.2%, P = 0.0022), transepithelial conductance (Gt) (29.7%, P = 0.0564) and the permeability of fluorescein 5(6)-isothiocyanate (FITC) (1.04-fold, P = 0.0047) of ruminal epithelium. The apparent permeability of LPS was 1.81-fold higher than HIS (P = 0.0005). The mRNA abundance of OCLN in ruminal epithelium was decreased by HIS (1.1-fold, P = 0.0473). Conclusions: The results of the present study suggested that histamine plays a direct role in the disruption of ruminal epithelium barrier function while lipopolysaccharide without acidic pH has no significant effect on the permeability of rumen tissues.