[The change of intestinal microecology in rats after orthotopic liver transplantation].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the intestinal microflora status and bacterial translocation in rats after liver transplantation.


METHODS
Male Brown-Norway (BN) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group I (n = 8) for liver transplantation; group II (n = 8) for simulated liver transplantation; group III (n = 8) for sham operation and group IV (n = 8) for normal group. Caecal bacterial counts, plasma endotoxin, intestinal mucosal ultrastructure and bacterial translocation to liver, spleen, kidney, and mesenteric lymph node were studied 24 h after surgery.


RESULTS
The numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus per gram of wet feces were significantly decreased in group I compare with those in the group III and group IV, while Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus counts were increased markedly compare with those in the group III and group IV, but no different was found between group I and group II. Impaired intestinal mucosa integrity were found in the group I and group II. In group I, the levels of plasma endotoxin increased after the transplantation when compare with group III and group IV. Increased incidence of bacterial translocation to liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph node were also observed after the transplantation (compare with those in the group IV, P < 0.01; compare with those in the group III, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, separately). The increased rate of the bacterial translocation in liver was also found in transplantation group as compare with group II (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Liver transplantation may lead to disturbance of intestinal microflora and impairment of intestinal mucosal barrier function, and this dysfunction might be caused by the process of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in transplantation.
Yu
Mei-hong
MH
State Key Laboratory for Infectious Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Yu
Xiu-li
XL
Chen
Chun-lei
CL
Gao
Liang-hui
LH
Mao
Wei-lin
WL
Yan
Dong
D
Chen
Yu
Y
Sheng
Ji-fang
JF
Li
Lan-juan
LJ
Zheng
Shu-sen
SS
D000818:Animals; D018988:Bacterial Translocation; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000097:blood; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats
D004731:Endotoxins