[Effect of ulinastatin on intestinal mucosal barrier function of rats with obstructive jaundice].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of ulinastatin on intestinal mucosal barrier function of rats with obstructive jaundice.


METHODS
Seventy-two male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation, obstructive jaundice, and ulinastatin treatment groups (groups A, B, and C, respectively). In groups B and C, the common bile duct was ligated to induce obstructive jaundice. The rats in group C were given intraperitoneal injection of ulinastatin at the daily dose of 40,000 IU/kg after the operation, while those in groups A and group B received equal amount of normal saline. At 3, 5, 7 and 10 days after the operation, the liver function and plasma endotoxin level were evaluated and measured, and bacterial culture of the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and spleen was performed. The terminal ileum mucosa was observed under light microscope, and the intestinal villi and mucosal thinckness was examined with image analysis system.


RESULTS
The indices relative to the liver function and plasma endotoxin level were higher at different time points of observation in group B than in group A (P<0.01), and were lower in group C than in group B (P<0.01). Plasma endotoxin level was similar between groups A and C 3 days after the operation (P>0.05). The rate of bacterial translocation was higher in group B than in group A and C (P<0.01, P<0.05), but comparable between groups A and C (P>0.05). Intestinal mucosal injury was observed in group B 3 days after operation, and aggravated with the passage of time. The injury was milder in group C. The intestinal villus length and mucosal thickness were greater in groups A and C than in group B (P<0.01 or P<0.05), but comparable between the former two groups 3 days after operation (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In early stage of obstructive jaundice, the intestinal mucosal barrier may sustain injuries which aggravate with time; ulinastatin has significant effect in protecting the mucosal barrier function especially against early pathological changes.
Department of General Surgery, First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050031, China. tianyanfeng1212@yahoo.com.cn
Yan-feng
YF
Tian
Yong
Y
Li
Qun
Q
Zhao
Li-qiao
LQ
Fan
Wen-jiang
WJ
Zhao
Bao-li
BL
Xu
Zhen-chuan
ZC
Song
Gang
G
Kuang
Zhi-ming
ZM
Dong
Qing-fu
QF
Zhang
D000818:Animals; D018988:Bacterial Translocation / Q000187:drug effects; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000097:blood; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D041781:Jaundice, Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors
D004731:Endotoxins; D006023:Glycoproteins; C028665:urinastatin