[Effect of hepatocyte growth factor on intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation after small bowel...

To evaluate the effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation after small bowel transplantation in rats.

Twenty Wistar rats were as receptors and twenty SD rats as donors. After heterotopic intestinal grafting, cyclosporine A was administered at 6 mg/kg x day intramuscularly for inhibiting rejection. The SD rats were divided into 2 groups (n = 10). HGF was administered at 150 microg/kg x day (HGF group) and normal saline was administered at 150 microg/kg x day (control group). Intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph nodes and portal vein were assessed at the 8th postoperative day.

The lactulose and lactulose/ mannitol of control group (0.0931%+/-0.0085% and 0.132+/-0.021) were higher than those of normal reference value (0.0150%+/-0.0020% and 0.020+/-0.005) (P < 0.05). The lactulose and lactulose/ mannitol of HGF group (0.0396%+/-0.0090% and 0.056+/-0.013) were also higher than those of normal reference value (P<0.05). The bacterial culture positive proportion of lymphaden in HGF group and control group were 10% and 60%, showing statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The bacterial culture positive proportion of portal vein in HGF group and control group were 10% and 20% respectively (P>0.05).

HGF can decrease intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation from the lumen of the graft to the mesenteric lymph nodes, thus improve gut barrier function, may be of help to reduce the incidence of septic complications after intestinal grafting.