The dopamine receptor agonist rotigotine attenuated indomethacin-induced enteropathy in the small intestinal mucosa of mice.

Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs induced enteropathy is characterized by disruption of the epithelial barrier and immune homeostasis, resulting in symptoms such as congestion, ulcers and inflammation. Research has suggested that dopamine (DA) exerts a protective effect on the gastroduodenal and colonic mucosa. The present study aimed to explore the effect of DA on NSAID-induced injury to the small intestinal mucosa.

Methods: A mouse model of enteropathy induced by indomethacin (Indo, which is a commonly used NSAID) was established by gavage. The DA agonist rotigotine (Roti) was administered alone or in combination with the DA receptor 2 (DRD2) antagonist domperidone (Domp) to model mice to determine the effect of Roti and the key role of DRD2 in this effect. Bilateral vagotomy was performed to determine whether the effect of Roti was mediated by the brain‒gut axis.

Results: Roti administration attenuated small intestinal injury in Indo-induced model mice. However, Domp administration alone exacerbated this injury. Moreover, Roti mitigated small intestinal injury by increasing Occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression and decreasing TNF-α and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression. However, the effects of Roti were abrogated by Domp. In contrast to Domp, vagotomy before Indo administration did not alter the enteroprotective effects of Roti.

Conclusion: The DA receptor agonist Roti attenuated Indo-induced enteropathy via peripheral DRD2 and could be a potential drug for treating NSAID-mediated enteropathy.