Hypertonic saline inhibits mucosal inflammatory events in vitro and in vivo

Introduction: Neutrophil (PMN) transepithelial migration is a crucial event in inflammatory conditions of the intestine such as inflammatory bowel diseases. Migration of PMN driven by a chemotactic gradient results in decreased transepithelial resistance. Hypertonic saline (HS) solutions inhibit various PMN-effector funtions and have been shown to benefit trauma and shock patients. Aims and Methods: We therefore sought to determine if treatment of PMN with HS prevents the disruption of epithelial barrier function associated with transepithelial migration. We furthermore investigated if HS-treatment reduces the s…