The Effects Of Different Nutritional Supports On The Intestinal Barrier In Cirrhotic And Portal Hypertensive Rats

Objective:To observe the morphologic changes of intestinal mucosa and bacterial condition of mesentery lymph node and ascites in cirrhotic and portal hypertensive rats, thereby to discuss the effects of different nutritional supports on the intestinal barrier function in these rats. Method: The cirrhotic and portal hypertensive model were made in 42 Wistar rats by CCL₄ subcutaneous injection and divided into four groups randomly: control group (n=l1), EN group (n=10), PN group (n=l 1) and EN+PN group (n=10). The control group were underwent sham operation and free-feeded postoperatively. For PN group, a catheter was inserted into jugular vein and the rats were received TPN solution with infusion pumps during the 7 days after the procedure. For EN group, the catheter was putted into stomach and the rats were given Ensure with feeding pump during the same period. The EN+PN group were combined the EN and PN catheter putting procedure and received TPN solution and Ensure at the same time, the calorie was supplied by EN and PN in half quantity separately. On the eighth day , the weight and portal pressure and albumin and prealbumin concerntration in portal blood were measured, the morphologic features of the end ileal mucosa was examed with microscope and electron microscope, bacterial culture and analysis of mesentery lymph nodes and ascites was performed separately. Results: The portal pressure of the cirrhotic and portal hyperetensive rats was 31.32+1.98cmH2O. The morphologic architecture of small intestinal mucosa in PN group showed the severe damage including thinning of the mucous membrane, fragmentation and breakdown of villi, changes of organelle and inflammatory cell infiltration in submucous layer of the ileum among all the groups in analysis with microscope and electron microscope. The bacterial culture and analysis in the PN group had the most significant differences contrast to the other three groups. The weight and the albumin and prealbumin level of blood serum indicated that the nutriational state of the PN group had remarkably decreased compared to the PN+EN and EN group. Conclusion: The morphologic and histologic structure of intestinal mucosa was damaged dramatically after PN support in cirrhotic and portal hypertensive rats, the barrier funtion was also influenced remarkably, while these changes were seldom-3-appeared in EN and EN +PN groups.