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Intestinal permeability in patients with yersinia triggered reactive arthritis.

The passive intestinal permeability of patients with yersinia triggered reactive arthritis was studied using different sized polyethylene glycols (PEGs) contained in a mixture of PEG 400 and PEG 1000. The investigation was carried out at least one year after the onset of yersinia infection, and patients had neither acute gastrointestinal nor joint symptoms. The control groups included patients with uncomplicated yersiniosis as well as healthy subjects who were either HLA-B27 positive or negative. An altered intestinal barrier function to PEG molecules was detected in patients with a history of yersinia infection compared with healthy controls. No significant differences in the permeability were found between patients with or without reactive arthritis, nor was there any association of increased permeability with HLA-B27. The passive permeability of the intestinal mucosa to the larger molecules was increased for an unexpectedly long time after the acute yersinia infection, probably contributing to the perpetuation of joint symptoms in subjects susceptible to a chronic joint disease.

Adult

Interrelation of intracellular proteases with total parenteral nutrition-induced gut mucosal atrophy and increase of mucosal macromolecular transmission in rats.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is known to induce mucosal atrophy and to increase macromolecular transmission of the small intestine. The potential participation of various proteases in that process was investigated. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: the TPN group (n = 11) received a standard TPN (250 kcal/kg per day, 1.78 g nitrogen/kg per day) and the FED group (n = 10) received a standard rat food for 1 week. This was followed by an examination of gut macromolecular transmission of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran 70,000 (FITC-dextran) after intragastric injection and of the activities of gut mucosal cathepsins B, H, and L and of proteasome. Mucosal wet weight and protein content decreased significantly by TPN for 1 week. In both groups, the activities of all proteases in the ileum were significantly greater than in the jejunum. In the TPN group, cathepsin L and H activities in the ileum, and cathepsin B activity in both the jejunum and the ileum, were greater than those in the FED group. The portal concentration of FITC-dextran was higher than arterial and venous concentrations in the both groups. In the TPN group, the portal FITC-dextran concentration increased significantly compared with the FED group. In conclusion, active proteolysis is not associated with TPN-induced mucosal atrophy. Cathepsins activities in the ileum increase as a result of TPN. Interrelationship is implicated between increase of lysosomal protease activity and the deterioration of the intestinal barrier function, which permits macromolecular transmission.

Animals

Trauma, shock, and gut translocation.

This article reviews the scientific and clinical evidence that supports trauma and shock as potential etiologies for translocation of intestinal microorganisms and their by-products. The potential for loss of intestinal barrier function to cause the eventual septic deaths observed in such patients, as well as possible mechanisms for preventing and treating this entity is also discussed.

Animals

A tungsten supplemented diet attenuates bacterial translocation in chronic portal hypertensive and cholestatic rats: role of xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial translocation (BT) plays a major role in the pathophysiological process of spontaneous infections in portal hypertension (PH) and cholestatic jaundice. The major mechanisms promoting BT in experimental animal models are the disruption of the intestinal ecological equilibrium and disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier. The enzymes xanthine dehydrogenase (XD) and xanthine oxidase (XO) are often implicated as a significant source of oxidants which have a major impact on the impairment of intestinal barrier function. AIM: To investigate the incidence of BT in rats with PH and obstructive jaundice, and to evaluate the impact of XD and XO. METHODS: Animals were subjected to sham laparotomy (SL), PH by calibrated stenosis of the portal vein, and common bile duct ligation (CBDL). They were fed either a standard pellet diet or a tungsten supplemented molybdenum-free diet. Four weeks after the operative procedure, intestinal colonisation and BT to portal vein, vena cava, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen were determined. Intestinal XD and XO activity were measured enzymatically and histochemically. RESULTS: Significant (p<0.01) intestinal bacterial overgrowth was present in all PH and CBDL groups compared with the SL group. In normally fed animals after SL, BT occurred in 12%. In PH and after CBDL, the rate of BT increased significantly (p<0.05) to 28% and 54% respectively. In the jejunum of normally fed animals subjected to PH or CBDL, a significant increase in XO was observed (p<0.01). Animals fed a tungsten supplemented diet showed a significant attenuation of BT to 14% in PH and 22% after CBDL (p<0. 05). Tungsten treatment completely suppressed jejunal XD and XO activities. CONCLUSIONS: Significant intestinal bacterial overgrowth, BT, and XD to XO conversion occurred in PH and after CBDL. XD and XO inactivation by a tungsten supplemented molybdenum-free diet significantly reduced the incidence of BT without affecting intestinal bacterial overgrowth. These data strongly support the hypothesis that increased XD to XO conversion may contribute to intestinal barrier failure in PH and after CBDL.

Animals

Effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and prostaglandins on the permeability of the human small intestine.

Intestinal permeability was estimated in healthy subjects after ingestion of aspirin (1.2+1.2 g), ibuprofen (400+400 mg) and indomethacin (75+50 mg) at midnight and an hour before starting a 51chromium labelled ethylenediaminetetraacetate absorption test. Intestinal permeability increased significantly from control levels following each drug and the effect was related to drug potency to inhibit cyclooxygenase. Intestinal permeability increased to a similar extent after oral and rectal administration of indomethacin showing that the effect is systemically mediated. Prostaglandin E2 decreased intestinal permeability significantly but failed to prevent the indomethacin induced increased intestinal permeability. These studies show that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs disrupt the intestinal barrier function in man and suggest that the morphological correlates of the damage may reside at the level of the intercellular junctions.

Adult

The effect of elemental diet on intestinal permeability and inflammation in Crohn's disease.

This study examines whether treatment of acute Crohn's disease with an elemental diet improves intestinal integrity and inflammation as assessed by a 51Cr-labeled ethylenediaminetetraacetatic acid (EDTA) permeability test and the fecal excretion of 111In-labeled autologous leukocytes, respectively. Thirty-four patients with active Crohn's disease completed a 4-week treatment course with an elemental diet. Active disease was characterized by increased intestinal permeability [24-hour urine excretion of orally administered 51Cr-EDTA, 6.4% +/- 0.6% (mean +/- SE); normal, less than 3.0%] and by high fecal excretion of 111In-labeled leukocytes (14.2% +/- 1.1%; normal, less than 1.0%). Twenty-seven (80%) went into clinical remission, usually within a week of starting treatment. After 4 weeks of treatment, there was a significant decrease in both the urine excretion of 51Cr-EDTA (to 3.4% +/- 0.5%; P less than 0.01) and the fecal excretion of 111In (to 5.7% +/- 1.0%; P less than 0.001), indicating that such treatment is not just symptomatic. A framework for the mechanism by which elemental diet works, centering around the importance of the integrity of the intestinal barrier function, is proposed, and also appears to provide a logical explanation for some relapses of the disease.

Acute Disease

Early increase in intestinal permeability in patients with severe acute pancreatitis: correlation with endotoxemia, organ failure, and mortality.

Sepsis accounts for 80% of deaths from acute pancreatitis. This study aimed to investigate early changes in intestinal permeability in patients with acute pancreatitis, and to correlate these changes with subsequent disease severity and endotoxemia. The renal excretion of enterally administered polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 and PEG 400 was measured within 72 hours of onset of acute pancreatitis to determine intestinal permeability. Severity was assessed on the basis of APACHE II scores and C-reactive protein measurements. Serum endotoxin and antiendotoxin antibodies were measured on admission. Eight-five patients with acute pancreatitis (mild in 56, severe in 29) and 25 healthy control subjects were studied. Urinary excretion of PEG 3350 (median) was significantly greater in patients who had severe attacks (0.61%) compared to those with mild disease (0.09%) and health control subjects (0.12%) (P <0. 0001), as was the permeability index (PEG 3350/400 excretion) (P <0. 00001). The permeability index was significantly greater in patients who subsequently developed multiple organ system failure and/or died compared with other severe cases (0.16 vs. 0.04) (P = 0.0005). The excretion of PEG 3350 correlated strongly with endotoxemia (r = 0.8; P = 0.002). Early increased intestinal permeability may play an important role in the pathophysiology of severe acute pancreatitis. Therapies that aim to restore intestinal barrier function may improve outcome.

APACHE

Ischemia-reperfusion in feline small intestine: a role for nitric oxide.

The objective of this study was to assess whether nitric oxide synthesis inhibition affects intestinal barrier function after ischemia-reperfusion of the feline small bowel. Local intra-arterial infusion of the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 25 nmol.ml-1.min-1) was performed in autoperfused segments of cat ileum for 60 min after 90 min of ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion. Epithelial permeability was quantitated by measuring blood-to-lumen clearance of 51Cr-labeled EDTA, and microvascular dysfunction was assessed by measuring the clearance of protein from the vasculature into the interstitium. 125I-labeled albumin clearance from blood to lumen and histology were performed to further characterize the extent of intestinal dysfunction after reperfusion of the postischemic intestine in the presence and absence of L-NAME. Ischemia-reperfusion-induced mucosal and microvascular permeability increases were dramatically augmented by L-NAME infusion, and this effect was reversed by infusion of L-arginine (125 nmol.ml-1.min-1). Initiating L-arginine (but not D-arginine) infusion alone 10 min before reperfusion provided protection against ischemia-reperfusion-induced mucosal barrier dysfunction; however, this was not associated with a reduction in endogenous levels of L-arginine during ischemia-reperfusion. These data suggest that basal nitric oxide production is important in minimizing mucosal and microvascular barrier dysfunction associated with reperfusion of postischemic intestine.

Animals

[Intestinal permeability in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)].

Intestinal permeability has been assessed as a parameter of the small intestinal barrier function in 33 patients with AIDS (WR 6), in 25 healthy volunteers, 32 patients with Crohn's disease, 18 patients with ulcerative colitis and in 12 patients with untreated coeliac disease. Permeability was measured by means of the 5 hour urinary excretion of lactulose and rhamnose after administration of these sugars (1 g rhamnose, 10 g lactulose) which allowed to calculate the urinary lactulose/rhamnose--ratio (L/R-r) as an index of intestinal permeability. Compared to the controls (L/R-r = 0.014 +/- 0.010) patients with AIDS had significantly increased lactulose/rhamnose--ratios (0.189 +/- 0.164; p less than 0.01) indicating abnormal permeation both of lactulose and rhamnose. This alteration of intestinal permeability was more pronounced than the significant increase of the L/R-r in the patients with either Crohn's disease or coeliac disease. However, intestinal permeability was not altered in the patients with ulcerative colitis. Among the patients with AIDS, the most abnormal permeability ratios were observed in two subjects with intestinal cryptosporidiosis. This investigation demonstrates by means of the "double sugar ratio", that intestinal permeability in patients with AIDS is highly abnormal, the impairment being even more abnormal than in patients with other small intestinal disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

The route of feeding influences injury responses.

The balance of current clinical data suggests that the route by which patients are fed during the postinjury phase may influence immunologic and metabolic responses to subsequent insults. The mechanisms underlying such amplification processes are presumed to be generated by loss of intestinal barrier function. The resulting host exposure to toxins is hypothesized to induce regional production of inflammatory mediators which serve to alter organ-specific and systemic responses. The cytokine class of mediators appears capable of altering splanchnic tissue function in a manner consistent with observed clinical responses. The breadth of tissue activity influenced by the cytokines spans those benefitting tissue homeostasis and repair to an exaggerated response which may induce tissue injury and organ failure. Data are presented from both clinical and experimental studies to suggest that a lack of intestinal nutrient provision, such as that induced by parenteral feeding, appears to predispose to enhanced cytokine mediator production in hepatic tissues. Thus alterations in the route of antecedent feeding may influence immunologic and metabolic function in a manner which will amplify responses to a subsequent inflammatory challenge.

Animals

Bacterial translocation after burn injury: the contribution of ischemia and permeability changes.

Bacterial translocation (BT) has been shown to occur in stress and trauma. In this study, we examined the contribution of altered intestinal permeability (measured with 51Cr-EDTA) and intestinal blood flow (radioactive microspheres) to the loss of intestinal barrier function after burn injury. A 42.6 +/- 0.6% total body surface area scald burn was produced in Sprague-Dawley rats; sham burn animals served as controls. Rats (29 burn and 20 sham burn) were sacrificed 24 h postburn, and mesenteric nodes (MLN), cecum, spleen, and liver were cultured. The incidence of BT was significantly higher in burn compared to shams (MLN, 55 vs. 15%; spleen, 31 vs. 10%; liver, 31 vs. 10%; p < .05). Cecal concentration of Gram-negative bacteria were similar in all rats (5.2 +/- 0.2 x 10(8) colony forming units/g). 5 h postburn, intestinal blood flow decreased significantly in burn (1.60 +/- .20) compared to shams (2.49 +/- .24 ml/min/g, p = .01); at this time, plasma to luminal clearance of 51Cr-EDTA was greater in the burn (.146 +/- .033, N = 9) than in shams (.050 +/- .010 ml/min/100 g, N = 9, p = .001); 24 h postburn, there was no significant difference in intestinal blood flow in sham (2.86 +/- .46, N = 10) and burn rats (2.29 +/- .44 ml/min/g, N = 11); plasma to intestinal lumen clearance of 51Cr-EDTA was similar in sham (.054 +/- .010, N = 11) and burn rats (.051 +/- .006 ml/min/100 g, N = 12) 24 h postburn.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, but not IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-6 or IL-8, are secretory mediators in human distal colon.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and HIV infection can cause diarrhoea which is accompanied by elevated cytokine levels. To elucidate a pathogenic role of cytokines, their effect on ion secretion was studied in human distal colon using the Ussing technique. Interluekin 1beta (IL-1beta) dose dependently increased short-circuit current (ISC). An ISC maximum of 2.5+/-0.3 micromol. h-1.cm-2 was reached at 20 ng/ml within 43+/-4 min. 22Na+ and 36Cl- fluxes were not altered and residual flux increased by 2.4+/-1.0 micromol.h-1.cm-2 indicating that the IL-1beta-induced ISC is based on electrogenic bicarbonate secretion. IL-1beta had no effect on HT-29/B6 epithlial monolayers suggesting that IL-1beta does not act directly on the epithelium. Furthermore, in human colon the effect was not attenuated by removal of the submucosa (total stripping) pointing to a mediation step via subepithlial cells in the lamina propria. While tetrodotoxin and the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor ICI-230487 had no effect, indomethacin completely blocked IL-1beta action. Prostaglandin determination by RIA revealed an increased production of PGE2. At half maximum effective concentrations an additive action of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) could be demonstrated on IL-1beta-induced secretion. Interferon alpha (IFN-alpha), IFN-gamma, IL-6, and IL-8 had no seretory effect in human distal colon. None of the investigated cytokines altered the intestinal barrier function. By their secretory effects IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, but not IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-6, and IL-8, may contribute to diarrhoea in IBD and AIDS.

Chlorides

Passage of molecules through the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. Increased passive permeability in rat ileum after exposure to lysolecithin.

The interaction between lysolecithin and mucosal cells in the distal ileum has been studied. Using a rat experimental model, we determined the intestinal permeability to fluorescent dextran 3000 after exposure to different amounts of lysolecithin. At pH 7.3, lysolecithin, 10 mg/ml, significantly enhanced the transmural passage, and at pH 3.5, even 1 mg/ml markedly increased the permeability. However, when lysolecithin was incubated with homogenized mucosal cells, a rapid disappearance of the compound occurred; this was accompanied by formation of free fatty acids and minor formation of lecithin. It appears, therefore, that high concentrations of lysolecithin can impair the intestinal barrier function in the distal part of ileum but that the mucosal cells are well equipped with activities for the rapid removal of such high concentrations. This could be physiologically significant, since the mucosal cells could otherwise be faced with large amounts of lysolecithin that might facilitate the absorption of potentially antigenic and toxic compounds.

Animals

The relationship between gut-derived bacteria and the development of the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Abnormal colonisation, infections of gut origin and bacterial translocation are all signs of gut failure that have been hypothesised as being implicated in the pathogenesis of the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). We have summarised published experimental and clinical studies that have tried to correlate the occurrence or prevention of these phenomena with the development of MODS. We conclude that in some patients loss of intestinal barrier function or the onset of infection precedes the development of MODS. In other patients, however, this relationship is not so clear and it seems that these are epiphenoma of critical illness and may reflect a failure of the host's immune and mechanical defence systems. The causal relationship between these phenomena and the development of MODS is complex and needs further clarification.

Animals

Integrity and metabolism of human ileal mucosa in vitro in the Ussing chamber.

The Ussing chamber is increasingly being used for in vitro studies of human intestinal mucosa, but little attention has been paid to the viability of specimens over time. Ninety-one mucosal specimens from the ileum in 19 patients operated on for colonic cancer were studied in regard to intestinal barrier function, metabolism, electrophysiology and histology during 360 min of incubation in Ussing chambers. Steady-state permeability to 51Cr-EDTA was maintained for 120 min. Mucosal ATP and lactate levels were stable for 180 min and transmucosal glucose flux for 240 min. Lactate dehydrogenase leakage was limited within 120 min. Transepithelial potential difference was 9.0 +/- 3.0 mV at the start, and declined slowly throughout 360 min. Light microscopy revealed epithelial lifting from the basal lamina at 90 min. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated preserved ultrastructure for 120 min. Specimens with a transepithelial potential difference below 6 mV at the start were associated with increased 51Cr-EDTA permeability and lactate dehydrogenase leakage and more pronounced light microscopy changes. All studied parameters pointed to preserved viability if experiments were kept within a period of 90 min after equilibration. The few specimens with early viability derangement were identified by a transepithelial potential difference below 6 mV at the start. The Ussing chamber provides a tool for in vitro studies of human intestinal epithelium, including permeability. To minimize viability problems, experiments should be limited in time and monitored by measurements of transepithelial potential difference.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Enteral glutamine increases growth and absorptive capacity of intestinal mucosa in the malnourished rat.

BACKGROUND: Glutamine is an important nutrient for the small intestine. Beneficial effects of glutamine could be related to restoration of optimal intestinal barrier functions. METHODS: Thirty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to three main groups. Experimental groups (n = 22) were malnourished and laparotomized. Sham groups (n = 11) were laparotomized without prior malnutrition. These groups were refed with or without oral glutamine for 3 days. The control group (n = 5) was given chow. Permeability was assessed by the 6-h urinary recovery of orally given polyethylene glycols, PEG 400/1000. Mucosal proliferation was estimated by DNA content and 1-h incorporation of 3H-thymidine intravenously. RESULTS: In the malnourished groups glutamine resulted in higher thymidine incorporation (p < 0.05) and better absorption of small PEG molecules (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The effects of oral glutamine on permeability after malnourishment and laparotomy are proposed to be related to an increase in absorptive area.

Animals

[Acute failure of the intestinal barrier--pathophysiology, diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy].

The gut not only serves as a main target for the detrimental effects of stress during and after surgery, but may also promote the development of multiple organ failure after different types of severe shock. According to a current hypothesis, an impaired intestinal barrier function is associated with a decreased separation of intraluminal bacteria and toxins and systemic circulation, which may induce sepsis and multiple organ failure. Hypoperfusion during shock, reperfusion injury of the splanchnic mucosa, alterations of the micro-ecology of the gut and immunologic and hormonal disturbances are important underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Various therapeutic concepts have been proposed such as improvement of splanchnic perfusion, nutritive and metabolic treatment by means of immunomodulating nutrients, parenteral substitution of glutamine, early onset of enteral nutrition, normalization of gut motility and selective decontamination of the gut. However, no clinical study to date could clearly demonstrate a key role of the gut in the pathogenesis of sepsis and multiple organ failure. Likewise, the efficacy of different prophylactic and therapeutic procedures remain to be studied. An aggressive treatment of shock and avoidance of microcirculatory disturbances are of principal importance for prophylaxis of multiple organ failure.

Acute Disease

[Experimental damage of the epithelial layer of the ileum by dietary fats: transmission electron microscopy findings and their comparison with cell pathology in Crohn disease].

Regarding the unknown pathogenesis of Crohn's disease repeatedly the importance of diet has been accentuated. Epidemiological, biochemical and animal experimental results have focused on a possible relationship between the consumption of chemically processed, partial hydrogenated fats and the development of regional enteritis. In this context an experimental animal model in pigs was designed to analyze, whether transmission electron microscopic alterations of ileal mucosa could be induced by forage of chemically processed fats. By creation of a retroperistaltic ileal segment the contact time between chyme and intestinal mucosa was prolonged. Our underlying question was to what extent disorders of the intestinal barrier function could be compared to Crohn's disease. Present study concentrates on the epithelial-cell-layer. It was shown that in comparison to the control animals the lamina epithelialis mucosae of all animals after fat-feeding was characterized by: sublethal lesion of the enterocytes/crypt-epithelial cells (shortening and alteration of the microvilli, degeneration of mitochondria, formation of autophagocytic vacuoles); goblet cell hyperplasia and increased production of mucus; focal appearance of intraepithelial lymphocytes as well as presence of polymorphonuclear granulocytes in the epithelium; widening of the intercellular-space locally up to total loss of the functional structure of the epithelial-cell-layer. In total the picture can be evaluated as an inflammatory process of the ileal mucosa. It can be concluded, that chemically processed fats as used in the described experimental conditions could induce this process. The feature of mucosal damage shows obvious similarities to ultrastructural findings in Crohn's disease if compared.

Animals