[Increasing activity of the intestinal mucosal mast cells in rats with multiple organ failure].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate changes in activities of the intestinal mucosal mast cells (IMMC) in multiple organ failure(MOF).


METHODS
MOF model in rat was established by injection of zymosan. The concentrations of histamine and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha) in plasma and intestine tissue were examined. Both the function and the pathological alterations of vital organs including intestine, liver, kidneys and lungs were measured or visualized under light microscope. Furthermore, the ultrastructure of the IMMC was observed with a transmission electronic microscope.


RESULTS
The injection of zymosan resulted in obvious inflammatory response in multiple organs, as well as significantly impaired function. Compared with the normal rats, the histamine levels in the intestinal tissue from rats with MOF remarkably decreased [(11.63+/-1.97) ng/g vs.(8.67+/-1.16) ng/g], while the plasma histamine levels did not show any significant changes. For TNF-alpha, apparently increasing levels in both intestinal tissue and plasma were observed in MOF rats. Meanwhile, the increasing number and degranulation of IMMC during MOF were impressive.


CONCLUSIONS
The histamine and TNF-alpha released from activated IMMC may play an important role in the development of MOF.
Tang
Cheng-wei
CW
Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
Lan
Cheng
C
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D015054:Zymosan
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D006632:Histamine; D015054:Zymosan