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Updated: Sep 27, 2026
Investigating Intestinal Barrier Breakdown in Living Organoids
Published on: March 26, 2020
Disruption of the small-intestine mucosal barrier after intestinal occlusion: a study with light and electron
A Kabaroudis1, B Papaziogas, I Koutelidakis
12nd Surgical Clinic, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Abstract:
It is known that the gut may serve as a reservoir for various microorganisms, which under specific circumstances may intrude into the systemic circulation, causing systemic infections. The aim of the present study was to estimate the "critical time" of disruption of the small-intestine mucosal barrier in conditions of experimentally induced intestinal occlusion, based on the histopathological alterations observed under light and electron microscopy. Forty rabbits underwent small-intestine obstruction through ligation with a nonabsorbable suture. Blood cultures from portal vein and inferior vena cava, as well as cultures from the peritoneal fluid, a hepatic fragment, and a mesenteric lymph node, were obtained before the ligation (0 h). The same cultures were repeated at 4 and 8 h (group A, 20 rabbits) and at 6 and 12 h after the ligation (group B, 20 rabbits). Small-intestine specimens proximal to the occlusion were taken for examination under the optic and electronic microscope in the same time intervals. Five of 20 rabbits of group A died within 4 h and 6 of 20 rabbits of group B died within 6 h after the operation. All anaerobic cultures were negative. All aerobic cultures that became positive developed Escherichia coli colonies. Intestinal epithelium of dead animals was transformed to cuboid with destruction of goblet cells and alteration in secretion of acid polysaccharides. The mucosal appearance of all rabbits that survived 12 hours after ligation was the same. The disruption of the mucosal barrier begins 4 h after complete intestinal occlusion. At 12 h after complete intestinal occlusion, the disruption is total with different degrees of severity.
Insights
The gut's mucosal barrier integrity is crucial for preventing systemic infections. This study found that intestinal obstruction leads to significant barrier disruption within 4 hours, escalating to total breakdown by 12 hours in rabbits.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Pathology
Background:
- The gut harbors microorganisms that can cause systemic infections if the intestinal barrier is compromised.
- Understanding the timeline of intestinal barrier disruption is vital for managing sepsis risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the critical time for small intestine mucosal barrier disruption following experimentally induced intestinal occlusion.
- To correlate histopathological changes with the timing of barrier failure.
Main Methods:
- Small intestine obstruction was induced in rabbits via ligation.
- Blood, peritoneal fluid, liver, and lymph node cultures were collected at various time points (0, 4, 8, 6, 12 hours).
- Small intestine specimens were examined using light and electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- Escherichia coli was the primary aerobic pathogen cultured from positive samples.
- Histopathological analysis revealed intestinal epithelial transformation, goblet cell destruction, and altered polysaccharide secretion in deceased animals.
- Significant mucosal barrier disruption began at 4 hours post-occlusion, becoming total by 12 hours in surviving rabbits.
Conclusions:
- The small intestine mucosal barrier begins to disintegrate 4 hours after complete obstruction.
- Complete mucosal barrier disruption occurs by 12 hours, with varying severity, increasing the risk of systemic infection.
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