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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats
Published on: August 1, 2018
Bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes increases in chronic portal hypertensive rats
Miguel-Angel Llamas1, María-Angeles Aller, Domingo Marquina
1Microbiology Department, Biology School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Purpose:
Bacterial translocation is a frequent complication in portal hypertension related to cirrhosis in the human clinical area. The aim of this study was to verify the existence of intestinal bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes in male Wistar rats with triple partial portal vein ligation during short- (48 h) and long-term (1 month) postoperative evolution.
Results:
At 48 h, ileal total aerobes bacteria (p < 0.001) and Lactobacillus decrease in sham-operated (SO) and portal hypertensive (PH) rats. At 1 month, ileal Enterococci and Streptococcus sp. show a statistically significant decrease in SO- and PH-rats. Lactobacillus decreases in the colon in SO- (p < 0.01) and in PH-rats (p < 0.001). At 1 month, colonic Enterococci decreases compared to control (p < 0.001) and SO-rats (p < 0.01). These intestinal microfloral changes are associated with bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes at 48 h (50%; p = 0.004) and 1 month (100%; p < 0.001) of postoperative evolution in PH-rats.
Conclusions:
The enlargement of the stenosed portal tract related to triple partial portal vein ligation in the rat, since it increases the resistance to the portal blood flow, may be a key factor involved in one of the pathological consequences of portal hypertension, as is bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes.
Insights
Bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes occurs in rats with portal hypertension. This complication develops within 48 hours and is present in all cases after one month, indicating a significant link between portal hypertension and bacterial translocation.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Bacterial translocation is a known complication in human cirrhosis with portal hypertension.
- Understanding the mechanisms in animal models is crucial for clinical insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate intestinal bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes in rats with induced portal hypertension.
- To assess this translocation at short-term (48 hours) and long-term (1 month) postoperative periods.
Main Methods:
- Triple partial portal vein ligation was performed on male Wistar rats to induce portal hypertension.
- Bacterial populations in the ileum and colon were analyzed.
- Bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes was assessed at 48 hours and 1 month post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Significant decreases in ileal and colonic bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus, Enterococci) were observed in portal hypertensive rats.
- Bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes was detected in 50% of rats at 48 hours (p=0.004).
- Translocation reached 100% by 1 month post-surgery (p<0.001) in portal hypertensive rats.
Conclusions:
- Induced portal hypertension in rats leads to significant alterations in intestinal microflora.
- Bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes is a consistent finding in this model of portal hypertension.
- The stenosed portal tract, increasing portal blood flow resistance, is implicated in bacterial translocation.
