Effects of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase on Apoptosis of Small Intestinal Epithelial Cells after Transplantation in Rats / 中国普外基础与临床杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effects of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) on apoptosis of small intestinal epithelial cells after transplantation in rats. Methods Small intestinal transplantation was performed in SD and Wistar rats. The recipients were divided into three groups isograft group (Wistar→Wistar group), allograft group (SD→Wistar group) and allograft+cyclosporine A group (SD→Wistar+CsA group). The grafts were harvested on day 1, 3, 5 and 7 after operation. All graft samples were subjected to histological examination. The apoptosis of graft epithelial cells was detected by TUNEL method. p38 MAPK was measured by Western-blotting method and serum TNF-? was determined by ELISA. Results Mild, moderate and severe rejection reaction occurred in the SD→Wistar group, it was showed that the number of apoptotic cells increased with the severity of the rejection reaction by TUNEL. In SD→Wistar group, the numbers of apoptotic cells were significantly higher than those of the other two groups (P0.05). The expression of p38 MAPK and the level of serum TNF-? were positively correlated with apoptosis in small intestinal rejection after transplantation (r=0.875, P