Impact of acute undernutrition on growth, ileal morphology and nutrient transport in a murine model

Undernutrition represents a major public health challenge for middle- and low-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate whether a multideficient Northeast Brazil regional basic diet (RBD) induces acute morphological and functional changes in the ileum of mice. Swiss mice (∼25 g) were allocated into two groups: i) control mice were fed a standard diet and II) undernourished mice were fed the RBD. After 7 days, mice were killed and the ileum collected for evaluation of electrophysiological parameters (Ussing chambers), transcription (RT-qPCR) and protein expression (western blotting) of intestinal transporters and tight junctions. Body weight gain was significantly decreased in the undernourished group, which also showed decreased crypt depth but no alterations in villus height. Electrophysiology measurements showed a reduced basal short circuit current (Isc) in the undernourished group, with no differences in transepithelial resistance. Specific substrate-evoked Isc related to affinity and efficacy (glutamine and alanyl-glutamine) were not different between groups, except for the maximum Isc (efficacy) induced by glucose. Transcription of Sglt1 and Pept1 was significantly higher in the undernourished group, while SN-2 transcription was decreased. No changes were found in transcription of CAT-1 and CFTR, while claudin-2 and occludin transcriptions were significantly increased in the undernourished group. Despite mRNA changes, SGLT-1, PEPT-1, claudin-2 and occludin protein expression showed no difference between groups. These results demonstrate early effects of the RBD on mice, which include reduced body weight and crypt depth in the absence of significant alterations to villus morphology, intestinal transporters and tight junction expression.

The ileum positively regulates hepatic regeneration in rats

To test the hypothesis that liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy can be influenced by the ileum. METHODS: Eighteen Wistar rats were distributed into groups of six animals: 1 - ileum resection+ hepatectomy 2/3; 2 - hepatectomy 2/3, and 3 - sham. Anesthesia with ketamine and xylazine i.p., aseptic technique, analgesia with meperidine (10mg/kg s.c.). On day 6, serum ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and albumin were measured. Liver regeneration and hepatocyte mitosis were quantified. Statistical analysis with ANOVA and Tukey tests, with significance p<0.05. RESULTS: In group hepatectomy+ileal resection, ALT, AST and AP were 180.6±24.9, 58.6±3.1 and 254.6±46.6 respectively. They were significantly higher than in the hepatectomy group, whose values were 126.0±16.5, 44.1±3.9 and 163.5±8.6, respectively (p<0.001). Albumin levels were not significantly different among groups. Liver regeneration in hepatectomy group (94.17%) was statistically higher (p<0.001) than in ileal resection+hepatectomy group (55.96%). In the latter group the mitosis of hepatocytes were significantly less frequent than in the hepatectomy group. CONCLUSION: The data confirm that the ileum positively influence on liver regeneration in rats undergoing hepatectomy.

Efeito protetor das frações proteicas do soro de leite em camundongos Balb/C infectados por Escherichia coli O157: H7 / Protective effect of whey proteic fractions on Balb/C mice infected by Escherichia coli O157: H7

Avaliou-se o efeito protetor das frações proteicas do soro do leite sobre as vilosidades intestinais de camundongos Balb/C, fêmeas, infectadas por Escherichia coli O157:H7. Foram utilizados 48 animais, distribuídos aleatoriamente em oito grupos de seis fêmeas cada um. Os animais dos grupos 1 e 2 (controles) receberam dieta AIN93G padrão; os dos grupos 3 e 4, AIN93G + alfalactalbumina; os dos grupos 5 e 6, AIN93G + betalactoglobulina e os dos grupos 7 e 8, AIN93G + concentrado proteico total e água ad libitum por sete dias. No dia zero, os animais dos grupos 2, 4, 6 e 8 foram inoculados, por meio de cânula de gavagem, com 0,5mL de E. coli O157:H7, na concentração de 7 x 10(10)UFC/mL. Os animais foram acompanhados clinicamente e sacrificados, no oitavo dia experimental. Verificou-se, por meio de exames histológicos e da morfometria, que as frações betalactoglobulina e alfalactalbumina exerceram efeito protetor sobre as vilosidades intestinais do jejuno distal e do íleo (P<0,05), respectivamente. O concentrado proteico total não demonstrou efeito protetor sobre as vilosidades intestinais.

The protective effect of protein fractions of whey on intestinal villi of Balb/C female mice infected with Escherichia coli O157: H7 was evaluated. A total of 48 animals were randomly distributed into eight groups of six females each. Animals in groups 1 and 2 (controls) received AIN93G standard diet; the groups 3 and 4, AIN93G + alpha-lactalbumin; while groups 5 and 6, AIN93G + beta-lactoglobulin; and groups 7 and 8, AIN93G + total protein concentrate and water ad libitum for seven days. On day zero, animals of groups 2, 4, 6, and 8 were inoculated by gavage tube with 0.5mL of E. coli O157: H7 at a concentration of 7 x 10(10)CFU/mL. The animals were clinically followed and sacrificed on the eighth day. It was verified by histological examination and morphometry that the beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin exerted a protective effect on the villi of the distal jejunum and ileum (P<0.05), respectively. The total protein concentrate showed no protective effect on the villi.

Infl uence of dietary calcium content on intestinal permeability in rat.

Background & objectives: Agents that increase the permeability of intestinal epithelium promote the absorption of nutrients by the gut. High calcium concentration in the gut has been shown to enhance passive transport of glucose in the rat intestine. An increase in the permeability of the intestinal epithelium may account for this observation. The present study was aimed at monitoring the permeability of intestine of rats fed high or low calcium diets. Methods: Everted intestinal sacs were used to study transports of substances across the gut. While radioactive and non radioactive calcium isotopes were employed to study the active transport and passive transport of calcium, transport of labelled mannitol was taken as a measure of passive permeability. Results: High calcium diet increased the passive transport of mannitol and calcium while decreasing the active transport of calcium by the everted gut sacs. Interpretation & conclusion: Passive mechanisms are enhanced by high calcium diet, while low calcium diet favours active transport. Calcium in the diet may be affecting intestinal transport.

Cell proliferation of the ileum intestinal mucosa of diabetic rats treated with ascorbic acid

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the ascorbic acid supplementation on the cellular proliferation on the ileum mucosa of diabetic rats. Fifteen 90-days rats were divided in the groups: control, diabetic and diabetic supplemented with ascorbic acid (DA). Two hours prior the sacrifice, they were injected with Vincristin. Semi-seriate histological cuts stained with HE were accomplished. About 2500 crypt cells from the intestinal mucosa were counted in order to obtain the metaphasic indexes. The height and depth of 30 villi and 30 crypts were measured for each animal, respectively. The metaphasic indexes showed no significant changes when we compared the three groups: 20.2 +/- 0.7 (control), 18 +/- 1.9 (diabetic) and 17 +/- 1.4 (DA) (p > 0.05). The values obtained from the crypts measurement were 221.2 +/- 8.5 (control), 225.3 +/- 9.5 (diabetic) and 222 +/- 34 (DA). The villi of the control, diabetic and DA animals presented the following results: 301.7 +/- 25.33, 304.8 +/- 25.63 and 322.1 +/- 45.77 respectively. The morphometric data were not different statistically (p > 0.05). Summing up, the present work showed that there was no alteration in the cellular proliferation of the ileum of diabetic-induced rats supplemented with ascorbic acid.

Análise morfométrica da parede intestinal do íleo de ratos submetidos a intensa carência de proteínas / Análisis morfométrica de la pared intestinal del íleo de ratas sometidos a intensacarencia de proteínas / Morphometrics analysis of the intestinal wall of the ileum of rats submitted to intensive lack of protein

Neste trabalho foram utilizados seis animais (Rattus norvegicus com 90 dias de idade) divididos em dois grupos: GC (grupo controle) e GE (grupo experimental). Os animais do GC receberam ração com teor protéico de 26% e os do GE ração com 4% de proteínas. Após 90 dias de experimento, os animais foram submetidos à eutanásia, à retirada do íleo e a processos histológicos corados por Hematoxilina e Eosina (HE), quando se avaliaram os efeitos da desnutrição protéica severa (4%) sobre ratos Wistar adultos (Rattus norvegicus) nos seguintes parâmetros: peso corporal; parede total do íleo; túnica mucosa; túnica muscular; altura do enterócito; diâmetro maior nuclear. A análise histomorfométrica da parede total do íleo dos ratos adultos desnutridos evidenciou que houve uma redução estatisticamente significante no grupo experimental em relação ao grupo controle. Ou seja: a parede intestinal alterou-se como um todo, especialmente na espessura da túnica mucosa, muscular, altura do enterócito e diâmetro maior de seu núcleo, permitindo-se concluir que a desnutrição protéica afeta tecidos de alta e baixa renovação celular presente no íleo

Six animals (Rattus norvegicus - 90 days of age) were divided into two groups: CG (Control Group) and EG (Experimental Group) were used in this study. The animals in the CG received 26%-protein chow and the EG received 4%- protein chow. 90 days later, the animals were submitted to euthanasia, remotion of their ileum for histological processes, and Hematoxylin and Eosin staining (HE). The effects of severe protein undernutrition (4%) on Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) regarding the following parameters were assessed: body weight, total wall thickness of the ileum, tunica mucosa, muscle tunic, enterocyte height, and higher nuclear diameter. The histomorphometric analysis of the total wall of the ileum of undernourished adult rats evidenced that there was a statistically significant reduction for the experimental group in relation to the control group. The intestinal wall suffered atrophy demonstrating that protein undernourishment affected all the tissues at the ileum

En esta investigación fueron utilizados seis animales (Rattus norvegicus con 90 días de edad) divididos en dos grupos: GC (grupo control) y GE (Grupo experimental). Los animales del GC recibieron ración con contenido proteico de 26% y los del GE ración con 4% de proteínas. Tras 90 días de experimento los animales fueron sometidos a eutanasia, remoción del íleo, procesos histológicos corados por Hematoxilina y Eosina (HE). Cuando se evaluaron los efectos de la desnutrición proteica severa (4%) sobre las ratas Wistar adultas (Rattus norvegicus) en los siguientes parámetros: peso corporal, pared total del íleo, túnica mucosa, túnica muscular, altura del enterocito y diámetro mayor nuclear. El análisis histomorfométrica de la pared total del íleo de las ratas adultas desnutridas evidenció que hubo una reducción estadísticamente significante em el grupo experimental en relación al grupo control. O sea: la pared intestinal se alteró como un todo, especialmente en La espesura de la túnica mucosa, muscular, altura del enterocito y diámetro mayor de su núcleo, permitiéndose concluir que La desnutrición proteica afecta tejidos de alta y baja renovación celular presente en el íleo

Caracterização morfológica da região de transição entre o intestino delgado e o grosso no javali (Sus scrofa, L., 1758) / Morphological characterization of the transition between the small and the large intestines in boar (Sus scrofa, L., 1758)

Estudou-se a morfologia da região de transição entre os intestinos delgado e grosso de 32 javalis (Sus scrofa, L., 1758), geneticamente selecionados, de ambos os sexos, entre jovens e adultos. O exame macroscópico contemplou - conformação e direção da saliência do íleo no intestino grosso, do óstio ileal, do íleo terminal e dos intestinos ceco e cólon ascendente, bem como as medidas do íleo no intestino grosso. Os resultados foram submetidos ao teste de Wilcoxon (α≤0,05). A terminação do íleo no intestino grosso constituía uma junção íleo-ceco-cólica. O ceco estava constituído por 3 (três) tênias: uma lateral e uma medial, contínuas, e uma ventral, esta terminando antes do ápice deste segmento. A superfície externa do cólon ascendente apresentava duas tênias: lateral e medial, em continuidade com as tênias homônimas do ceco. O íleo terminal dos javalis apresentou morfologia cilindróide em 100% dos casos. Em todos os casos observamos a eminência ileal em forma papilar - papila ileal (papilla ilealis) - voltada para o intestino grosso, com direção oblíqua. No ápice da papila observamos um óstio central (ostium ileale), relativamente fechado e de forma estrelada (75% dos casos), ou relativamente aberto e de forma ovalada (25%). Nossos achados demonstraram diferentes morfologias em relação a outros animais, constituindo mais uma indicação contra a generalização desta região nos mamíferos.

A study on the morphology of the transition between the small and large intestines was carried out in 32 wild boars (Sus scrofa, L., 1758) genetically chosen, male and female, with ages averaging from young (4 months) to adult (14 months). We examed at macroscopic level all the specimens – the shape and direction of the ileal prominence into the large intestine, of the ostium ileale, of the termination of the ileum and of the intestines ceco and ascending colon. Then, whe took some measurements of the ileum inside the large intestine. The results were analyzed by Wilcoxon Test (a £ 0,05). The terminal ileum showed cylindrical morphology in 100% of the cases. In all of the cases, we observed that the ileal eminence was papilar shape – ileal papilla (papilla ilealis) towards the large intestine with an oblique direction. On the top of the papilla we observed one central ostium (ostium ileale), relatively closed and star shaped (75% of the cases), or relatively opened and oval shaped (25%). Our findings demonstrate that the different morphology of the ileo-ceco-colic junction as compared to other animals, another indication against the generalization of the description of this region in mammals.

Histology of the ileum in bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea)

In most hymenopterans, the ileum extends as a long tube from the midgut to the rectum, and shows nomarked anatomical specialization. The function of the ileum is not fully understood, although the presenceof an epithelial layer of cuboidal or columnar cells with apical and basal plasma membrane infoldingssuggests that this organ may be involved in water and nutrient absorption. In this work, we investigatedthe ileal morphology of 47 species of bees in the Andrenidae, Apidae (Apini, Meliponini, Xylocopinae,Centridini, Bombini, Eucerini, Euglossini, Tapinotaspidini, Exomalopsini), Halictidae and Megachilidae,as part of a study to understand the physiological and phylogenetic importance of this organ. In all cases,the ileum consisted of an epithelium containing cuboidal or columnar cells that usually had basal nuclei andapical plasma membrane infoldings, although there were variations in cell shape, position of the nucleus,degree of chromatin condensation and cuticle thickness. The epithelial cells were covered with a cuticle andtransverse sections revealed the presence of 4-6 folds projecting into the lumen. The cell cytoplasm belowthe apical plasma membrane infoldings contained numerous vacuoles of different sizes. A single layer ofcircular muscle was located beneath the epithelium. The histological organization of the ileum suggesteda role in the absorption of luminal solutes as a mechanism for regulating the hemolymph and the generalosmotic balance of these insects. However, there was no relationship between the structural organization ofthe ileum and the degree of social development and/or phylogeny of the bees.

Correlación clínica, quirúrgica y anatomopatológica en pacientes con diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda: Hospital Patrocinio Peñuela Ruíz 2000-2005 / Clinical correlation, surgical and anatomopathologic in patients hospitalized with diagnosis of acute appendicitis: Hospital Dr. Patrocinio Peñuela Ruíz 2000-2005

La apendicitis constituye una de las causas más frecuentes de abdomen agudo y la indicación más común para laparotomía de urgencia. En el Hospital Dr. Patrocinio Peñuela Ruíz, entre los años 2000 y 2005, se practicaron 760 apendicectomías. Debido al elevado número de cirugías y con la finalidad de mejorar su manejo hospitalario, se plantea realizar esta investigación de tipo retrospectivo, transversal descriptivo y observacional; que tiene como objetivo determinar la correlación entre manifestaciones clínicas, hallazgos operatorios y descripción anatomopatológica de los apéndices cecales de pacientes hospitalizados con diagnóstico de abdomen agudo quirúrgico infeccioso: apendicitis aguda, a quienes se les realizó apendicectomía. El grupo etáreo mas frecuente fue entre 11 y 15 años, predominó el sexo masculino con 54 por ciento, el motivo de consulta más frecuente fue dolor abdominal (90 por ciento); los principales síntomas: dolor abdominal 100 por ciento, vómito 56 por ciento y fiebre 31 por ciento. Entre la aparición de los síntomas y el momento de la cirugía, transcurrieron entre 25 y 30 horas en 25 por ciento de los pacientes. Se reportaron la mayor cantidad de apendicitis en fase flegmonosa entre las 12-24 horas. Como hallazgos operatorios se evidenció: 53 por ciento apédices en fase flegmonosa, la localización más frecuente: retrocecal (23 por ciento), con 52 por ciento sin líquido en cavidad abdominal. En los hallazgos anatomopatológicos: fase flegmonosa en 35 por ciento, congestiva 29 por ciento y gangrenosa 2 por ciento, la correlación entre el diagnóstico quirúrgico y el anatomopatológico se presentó en la fase congestiva en el 89 por ciento, en la flegmonosa en el 72 por ciento también hubo correlación; y en la gangrenosa y perforada, en el 100 por ciento no hubo correlación.

Density and morphometry of myenteric neurons of the ileum of rats subjected to chronic alcoholism

This work verified the changes caused by ethanol ingestion on the myenteric neurons of the ileum of rats subjected to chronic alcoholism. Twenty rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided in control (GC) and alcoholic (GA) groups during 210 days. The animals from group GA received sugar-cane brandy diluted to 30 GL and those from group GC received water. Both groups were fed with rodent chow ad libitum. The ileum was prepared as whole-mounts for neuronal staining according to Barbosa (1978) and Gabella (1979). The neurons were counted and the cell bodies were measured. The statistical analysis revealed a significant decrease in the number of large neurons in GA compared with GC, while there was a significant increase in the number of small neurons in GA. There was a smaller body growth in GA, thus causing a smaller spread of the nerve cells and a larger number of neurons evidenced by the techniques of Giemsa and NADH-diaphorase in the alcoholic animals than in the controls, and a decrease in the size of the cell bodies, evidenced by the increase in the proportion of small neurons and decrease in the proportion of large nerve cells.

Estudo da açäo do extrato de Ginkgo biloba e amido hidroxietílico hipertônico na atenuaçäo de alteraçöes decorrentes de isquemia e reperfusäo de órgäos esplâncnicos em ratos / Study of action of Ginkgo biloba extract and hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch on attenuating of ischemia and reperfusion changes of splanchnic organs in rats

A oclusäo e reperfusäo das artérias esplâncnicas ocasiona choque circulatório, causado principalmente pelo aumento de permeabilidade vascular e pela agressäo celular provocada por radicais livres derivados do oxigênio. Este estudo tem por finalidade verificar a açäo do extrato de Ginkgo biloba (Egb-761) e do amido hidroxietílico (AHH) na prevençäo do choque circulatório produzido pela isquemia e reperfusäo de órgäos esplâncnicos. O Egb-761 tem propriedades antioxidantes relatadas na literatura. O AHH, tem sido utilizado como recurso terapêutico do choque hipovolêmico. Ratos anestesiados receberam infusäo contínua de Egb-761 ou AHH, sendo submetidos à isquemia (oclusäo do tronco celíaco, artéria mesentérica superior e artéria mesentérica inferior por 30 minutos) e reperfusäo (por 90 minutos) dos órgäos esplâncnicos. Foram feitas: análise histopatológica ileal, dosagem de malondialdeído ileal e determinaçäo contínua da pressäo arterial média (PAM). A PAM ao final do período de reperfusäo foi significativamente mais elevada nos animais tratados com Egb-761 e AHH, que no grupo controle (F=18,29; p<0,001). Näo houve diferença entre os grupos tratados e controle quanto à dosagem de MDA (H=4,61; p>0,10) e quanto às alteraçöes histológicas (H=6,003; p>0,10). Em conclusäo, houve melhora nas condiçöes hemodinâmicas, com atenuaçäo do choque nos ratos que receberam Egb-761 ou AHH. Novos estudos seräo necessários para se avaliar melhor as alteraçöes histológicas e para esclarecer a formaçäo de produtos finais da peroxidaçäo lipídica.

Enteroscopia intra-operatória no sangramento digestivo de origem obscura / Intraoperative enteroscopy for chronic digestive bleeding of obscure origin

Os autores apresentam dois casos de pacientes com sangramento digestivo crônico de repetiçäo, em que todos os métodos diagnósticos disponíveis no pré-operatório foram negativos, inclusive com repetiçäo insistente de endoscopias digestivas altas e baixas. Essas pacientes foram submetidas a várias transfusöes sanguíneas ao longo da doença, até que se indicou a laparotomia exploradora. Como o achado cirúrgico foi negativo para revelar o sitio do sangramento, foram realizadas as enteroscopias intra-operatórias, que detectaram angiodisplasias do íleo nas duas pacientes. O tratamento foi a ressecçäo segmentar do íleo em uma e a ressecçäo local na outra. A evoluçäo foi favorável, com retorno dos níveis normais do eritrograma; porém, o tempo de acompanhamento ainda é curto (90 a 150 dias) para conclusöes definitivas nesses pacientes

Study of the myenteric plexus of the ileum of rats subjected to proteic undernutrition

Con el objetivo de verificar los efectos de la desnutrición proteica sobre el plexo mientérico del íleon, fueron utilizados 20 ratas del linaje wistar, cuyas madres fueron desnutridas en los períodos de gestación y/o lactacia sometidas a sacrificio a los 60 días de edad. Se realizaron preparados de membrana del íleon teñidos con GIEMSA, para observación de las neuronas mientéricas y posteriores análisis y cuantificación. Verificamos que la desnutrición proteica no provoca reducción en el número de neuronas mientéricas por cm2 de íleon, y que las neuronas medias con basofilia intermediaria predominan en todos los grupos

Yeyunoíleon

Se describe la anatomía del yeyunoileón incluyendo tamaño, desarrollo, irrigación y pliegues. De las bridas y adherencias se indican sus causas y consecuencias, las mismas constituyen hoy día la primera causa de oclusión intestinal, pero no se manifiesta hasta que no se produce la obstrucción. Su tratamiento debe ser profiláctico. Se detallan, las manifestaciones clínicas, diagnósticas y tratamiento de los tumores intestinales, vólvulos, parásitos, divérticulo de Meckel, invaginación en el adulto, enfermedad de Crohn, cuerpos extraños, lesiones traumáticas, tuberculosis intestinal, fiebre tifoidea, úlcera y divertículos