Gut immunity is regulated by cocoa butter intake-mediated release of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10

Mesenteric lymph has received attention for its important roles in nutrient absorption and mucosal immunity. It contains cytokines and immune cells that control the immune responses. The aim of this study to evaluate the effects of cocoa butter intake on rat mesenteric lymph flow, cell density, and the IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 levels in the lymph. Cocoa butter intake increased the lymph flow, cell density and the cytokine levels in the lymph. Clodronate released IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 and slightly accelerated the cocoa butter intake-mediated release of IL-6, but not that of IL-1β and IL-10. A Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 inhibitor significantly reduced the linoleic acid-mediated releases of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in the medium of isolated cells from lamina propria of jejunal villi. Our findings suggest that cocoa butter intake regulates gut immunity through the release of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 via a negative feedback mechanism.