Epithelial lesions in low flow states: a unifying concept.
Several epithelium-lined organs are highly vulnerable in low flow states, and may lead to lesions such as hemorrhagic enteritis, stress ulcer, renal tubular necrosis, acalculous cholecystitis and "shock lung". A hypothesis is presented which postulated that the redistribution of the subepithelial microcirculatory blood flow and the subsequent damage to the epithelial barrier are the crucial processes in their pathogenesis. Presently available evidence in support of this thesis is summarized.
D000818:Animals; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004751:Enteritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007683:Kidney Tubular Necrosis, Acute / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014456:Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology