Bronchoscopy induces intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction: a possible role for nitric oxide.
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.
Nayci
Ali
A
Department of Pediatric Surgery, School of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey. anayci@mersin.edu.tr
Atis
Sibel
S
Talas
Derya Umit
DU
Polat
Ayse
A
Bagdatoglu
Ozlen
O
Polat
Gurbuz
G
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
D009569:Nitric Oxide