Background and Aims—Gastroparesis is a complication of diabetes, characterized by delayed emptying of stomach contents and accompanied by early satiety, nausea, vomiting, and pain. No safe and reliable treatments are available. Interleukin 10 (IL10) activates the M2 cytoprotective phenotype of macrophages and induces expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) protein. We investigated whether IL10 administration could improve gastric emptying and reverse the associated cellular and electrical abnormalities in diabetic mice.

Methods—Non-obese diabetic mice with delayed gastric emptying were given either IL10 (0.1-1μg, twice/day) or vehicle (controls). Stomach tissues were isolated, and sharp microelectrode recordings were made of the electrical activity in the gastric muscle layers. Changes to interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), NADPH-diaphorase and levels and distribution of HO1 protein were determined by histochemical and imaging analyses of the same tissues.

Results—Gastric emptying remained delayed in vehicle-treated diabetic mice but returned to normal in mice given IL10 (n = 10 mice, P < 0.05). In mice given IL10, normalization of gastric emptying was associated with a membrane potential difference between the proximal and distal stomach and lower irregularity and higher frequency of slow-wave activity, particularly in the distal stomach. Levels of HO1 protein were higher in stomach tissues from mice given IL10, and ICC networks were more organized, better connected, and more evenly distributed compared with controls.

Conclusions—IL10 increases gastric emptying in diabetic mice and has therapeutic potential for patients with diabetic gastroparesis. This response is associated with up-regulation of HO1 and repair of connectivity of ICC networks.