Epithelial changes of congenital intestinal obstruction in a rat model

Abstract

IntroductionIntestinal atresia is a rare congenital affliction that is often associated with severe bacterial infections despite adequate neonatal surgery. Previous studies have focused on enteric nervous system variations. We hypothesized that epithelial systems (ES) may also be involved in the pathophysiology of postnatal disorders. Materials and methodsGlobal gene expression was measured by transcriptomic analysis in a rat model of induced intestinal atresia. The analyses then focused on genes involved in ES (enterocytes and goblet cells). Rat fetus small intestines at various stages of development (ED15, ED17, ED19, and ED21, n = 22), were used as non-operated controls and compared to the upper and lower segments of rat fetus small intestines with an induced atresia (n = 14; ligature at ED18). The pattern of gene expression was then confirmed by histochemistry, electron microscopy, and RT-qPCR. ResultsFrom ED15 to ED21, the expression of several genes exhibited a physiological increase of ES markers, with a significant increase at the end of gestation. The operated embryos exhibited significantly higher variations of gene expression in the proximal segment than in the distal segment in terms of absorption and the epithelial barrier. An increase in goblet cells and markers was observed in the proximal segment compared to the controls. ConclusionFetal intestinal obstruction accelerates maturation in the proximal segment and disrupts the intestinal wall in the distal segment, with a decrease in the number of mucosal cells.

Experimental Animal Models for Studying Intestinal Obstruction

“…Baglaj et al [111] used a microsurgical bipolar coagulator instead of ligation to produce the vascular ischemic event in chick embryos. Researches also utilize the intestinal loop ligation model, using fine sutures 9-0, 10-0, or 11-0 to ligate an intestinal segment, to surgically induce congenital IO in rat, rabbit, chick, and sheep fetuses [110,[112][113][114][115][116]. These techniques require advanced surgical skills, advanced equipment, and specialized laboratories to offer optimum care to mothers and offsprings.…”