Intestinal prostaglandin E2 expression in rats with obstructive jaundice.
OBJECTIVE
How obstructive jaundice causes the intestinal barrier to be injured is still controversially discussed. In this study, we hypothesize that intestinal prostaglandin E (2), a cytoprotective factor, may be affected by the bile duct obstruction.


METHODS
Four groups of Wistar-Albino rats were used: in Groups 1 and 3, the rats underwent a sham operation. In Groups 2 and 4, the common bile duct was doubly ligated. Relaparotomy was performed after one week in Groups 1 and 2, and after two weeks in Groups 3 and 4, and specimens of the jejunum, ileum and liver were obtained for intestinal PGE (2) analysis and histopathological evaluation.


RESULTS
Jejunal and ileal PGE (2) levels had significantly decreased in two-week bile duct-ligated rats compared to one-week ligated rats and the sham group (p < 0.01). Tissue injury scores (Chiu score) of the ileum were significantly higher in the two-week and one-week ligated rats than in the controls (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). The jejunal injury score was significantly higher in the two-week ligated rats compared to controls (p < 0.05). The ileal and jejunal injury scores were higher in the two-week ligated rats than in the one-week ligated rats (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Precirrhotic fibrosis was detected in all two-week ligated rats, but in only 7 of 10 one-week ligated rats.


CONCLUSIONS
Obstructive jaundice associated with intestinal tissue injury and precirrhotic changes leads to reduced intestinal PGE (2)-levels, suggesting an adverse effect on the intestinal cytoprotective process.
Aslan
A
A
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey. adaslan@yahoo.com
Bulbul
M
M
Elpek
O
O
Karaveli
C
C
Izgut-Uysal
N
N
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007082:Ileum / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D041781:Jaundice, Obstructive / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007583:Jejunum / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D015415:Biomarkers; D015232:Dinoprostone