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Impact of corticosteroid on intestinal injury in a gastroschisis rat model: morphometric analysis
Daniel Guimarães Bittencourt1, Maria Weber Guimarães Barreto, Willy Marcus Gomes França
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, CEP: 13084-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Insights
Maternal corticosteroid (dexamethasone) administration in a gastroschisis rat model reduced intestinal weight but increased protein content. This suggests potential benefits in mitigating intestinal damage in gastroschisis fetuses.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal surgery
- Developmental biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastroschisis treatment aims to prevent intestinal injury.
- Corticosteroids influence inflammatory responses and intestinal maturation.
- The study investigates maternal corticosteroid effects on fetal gastroschisis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of maternal corticosteroid administration on fetal intestines in a gastroschisis model.
- To assess morphometric and histologic changes in response to dexamethasone.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a modified gastroschisis rat model with control and dexamethasone groups.
- Assessed fetal body weight, intestinal weight, length, and protein content.
- Performed histologic analysis of intestinal wall components and muscle layers.
Main Results:
- Dexamethasone decreased most morphometric parameters, excluding intestinal length.
- Intestinal protein content increased in fetuses treated with dexamethasone.
- Histologic parameters were significantly increased in gastroschisis fetuses.
Conclusions:
- Dexamethasone significantly reduced intestinal weight in gastroschisis fetuses.
- Dexamethasone increased intestinal protein content.
- Maternal corticosteroid use may help reduce intestinal damage in gastroschisis.
Background/Purpose:
The goal in the treatment of gastroschisis is to prevent intestinal injury. Corticosteroids are known by their effects at the inflammatory response and by the improvement on the intestinal maturity. The authors evaluated the effects of maternal corticosteroid administration on the intestines of rats that underwent fetal gastroschisis.
Methods:
A Correia-Pinto-modified gastroschisis rat model was used. Two groups were assessed: the control group (group 1) and the dexamethasone group (group 2). Each group was composed of control and sham fetuses, and fetuses with gastroschisis. Fetal body weight, intestinal weight, intestinal length, and protein were assessed. Histologic analysis involved measures of intestinal loop diameter, total intestinal wall, mucosa and submucosa, both circular and longitudinal muscle layers, and serosal thicknesses. Differences between groups and subgroups were tested by the analysis of variance method with a significant P value less than .05.
Results:
Dexamethasone decreased in all the morphometric data except in the intestinal length. Dexamethasone increased the intestinal protein content in fetuses with gastroschisis, and control and sham fetuses. In both groups, all histologic parameters were increased in fetuses with gastroschisis (P < .0001).
Conclusions:
Dexamethasone caused a substantial decrease in intestinal weight in GFs, increased the intestinal protein content, and it may be useful in decreasing the intestinal damage of gastroschisis.
