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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Murine Model of Intestinal Ischemia-reperfusion Injury
Published on: May 11, 2016
Ischemia/reperfusion: a clinically relevant model of intestinal injury yielding systemic inflammation
Anthony Stallion1, Tzuyung D Kou, Samir Q Latifi
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4952, USA.
Background/Purpose:
Multisystem organ failure (MSOF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the critically ill patient. Animal models of endotoxin-induced sepsis were used to develop therapeutic regimens, which thus far have failed in clinical trials. Because multiple etiologies of MSOF affect the intestine, the authors hypothesized that during sepsis the gut may act as a possible trigger of the inflammatory cascade. As ischemia and reperfusion of the small intestine disrupts gut barrier function, thereby activating systemic inflammatory responses, the authors evaluated a murine model of ischemia/reperfusion to investigate these systemic responses to local mucosal and epithelial injury.
Methods:
C57BL/10 and Balb/c mice underwent variable amounts of gut ischemia by superior mesenteric artery occlusion. Animals were evaluated for survival as well as gross and microscopic intestinal damage.
Results:
Maximal ischemic damage occurred in the distal jejunum and proximal ileum. More severe epithelial damage and transmural inflammation were observed in C57BL/10 mice, which correlated with a higher mortality.
Conclusions:
This model mimics what is observed clinically with intestinal injury resulting from a progressive ischemic insult with eventual systemic manifestations. This reproducible model of systemic inflammation elicits variable responses from genetically different animals, the results of which may lead to a better understanding of MSOF.
Insights
Gut ischemia and reperfusion injury in mice causes systemic inflammation and organ failure. This model helps understand multisystem organ failure (MSOF) and develop new treatments for critically ill patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Multisystem organ failure (MSOF) is a significant cause of death in critically ill patients.
- Current therapeutic strategies for sepsis-induced MSOF have largely failed in clinical trials.
- The gut's role as a potential trigger for the inflammatory cascade in MSOF is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the systemic inflammatory responses to local mucosal and epithelial injury.
- To evaluate a murine model of gut ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) to understand its role in MSOF.
- To explore the gut as a potential trigger of the inflammatory cascade during sepsis.
Main Methods:
- A murine model of gut ischemia was induced via superior mesenteric artery occlusion in C57BL/10 and Balb/c mice.
- Variable degrees of ischemia were applied to assess the impact on survival and intestinal damage.
- Gross and microscopic examination of intestinal damage was performed.
Main Results:
- Maximal ischemic damage was concentrated in the distal jejunum and proximal ileum.
- C57BL/10 mice exhibited more severe epithelial damage and transmural inflammation.
- Increased intestinal injury in C57BL/10 mice correlated with higher mortality rates.
Conclusions:
- The developed murine model effectively mimics clinical observations of intestinal injury leading to systemic manifestations.
- This reproducible model demonstrates variable systemic inflammatory responses in genetically distinct animals.
- Findings may enhance the understanding of the pathophysiology of MSOF.
