title: Bronchoscopy induces intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction: a possible role for nitric oxide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates the effect of bronchoscopy on intestinal mucosal barrier function and its association with intestinal nitric oxide production.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 rats were used. The study group (n=15) underwent rigid bronchoscopy. At 24 h following bronchoscopy, ileal nitrite/nitrate levels were evaluated. The ileum was also examined for mucosal damage, and graded according Chiu's histologic injury scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the bronchoscopy group, the ileal nitrite/nitrate levels were significantly higher than those of controls (398.5 +/- 85.1 and 44.5 +/- 6.6 nmol/g tissue, respectively, P=0.001). In the bronchoscopy group, the mucosal damage was significant, compared with those of controls (mean ranks, 22.8 and 8.2, P<0.0001). The changes varied from denuded villi and dilated capillaries to significant architectural distortion, lamina propria disintegration, ulceration and hemorrhage. Significant correlation was found between ileal nitrite/nitrate levels and mucosal damage in the bronchoscopy group (rs=0.56, P=0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that bronchoscopy induces intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction in association with excess intestinal nitric oxide production. These events may be involved in mechanisms responsible for bacterial translocation after bronchoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, School of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey. anayci@mersin.edu.tr
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nayci
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atis
authors.forename: Derya Umit
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Talas
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polat
authors.forename: Ozlen
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bagdatoglu
authors.forename: Gurbuz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Polat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018988:Bacterial Translocation; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007082:Ileum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide