Morphology and mucosal biochemistry of gastroschisis intestine in urine-free amniotic fluid.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the role of urine exposure in gastroschisis on the pathologic and biochemical aspects.


METHODS
The intestines of fetal rabbits with gastroschisis (group G), gastroschisis and urethral ligation (group GL), and normal controls (group C) were studied by measuring weigh and length, intestinal diameter and wall thickness, and thickness of each intestinal layer. Number and length of villi and villi edema were evaluated. Total protein and DNA were measured in intestinal homogenate. Lactase activity and alkaline phosphatase activity were analyzed in isolated microvilli membranes.


RESULTS
Intestinal length, diameter, and wall thickness were significantly different in groups G and GL compared with C but not between groups G and GL. The same was true for the thickness of the internal muscular and serosa, villi length, and villi edema. Serosal reaction was milder in group GL than in group G, and absent in C. Total protein, lactase activity, and alkaline phosphatase activity were also significantly different in G and GL compared with C but not between G and GL.


CONCLUSIONS
Urine in amniotic fluid causes an increased serosal reaction but does not account for the mucosal enzyme dysfunction.
Albert
Asteria
A
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Unitat Integrada Hospital Sant Joan de Déu-Clnic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Margarit
Jaume
J
Julia
Victoria
V
Sancho
M Angeles
MA
Galan
Xavier
X
Lopez
Dolores
D
Morales
Luis
L
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D007422:Intestines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D008026:Ligation; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011817:Rabbits; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery; D014556:Urine / Q000502:physiology*
D011506:Proteins; D004247:DNA