Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
07:51
Testing Epithelial Permeability in Fetal Tissue-Derived Enteroids
Published on: June 16, 2022
Does intestinal permeability lead to organ failure in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis?
Augusto Zani1, Marco Ghionzoli, Giuseppe Lauriti
1Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK.
Pediatric Surgery International
|October 27, 2009
Summary
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in rats increases intestinal permeability, leading to cardiac and renal failure. This suggests cardiac failure, secondary to inflammation from increased gut permeability, may cause mortality in NEC.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Gastroenterology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- The rat gavage model is crucial for studying necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) pathogenesis and treatment.
- While NEC models show intestinal damage, they rarely exhibit intestinal perforation or organ failure.
- The occurrence of organ failure in experimental NEC models remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that increased intestinal permeability contributes to organ failure in experimental NEC.
- To assess cardiac and renal function in a rat model of NEC.
Main Methods:
- NEC was induced in neonatal rats using hypertonic formula, hypoxia, and lipopolysaccharide.
- Intestinal permeability was measured using the lactulose/mannitol ratio via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
- Cardiac damage and renal failure were assessed by measuring plasma cardiac troponin-I and creatinine levels, respectively.
Main Results:
- Experimental NEC significantly increased intestinal permeability (P = 0.0002).
- Increased intestinal permeability was strongly associated with cardiac damage (P < 0.0001) and renal failure (P = 0.004).
Conclusions:
- Experimental NEC leads to increased intestinal permeability, correlating with cardiac and renal damage.
- Rat mortality in NEC models may result from cardiac failure, potentially triggered by inflammation stemming from heightened intestinal permeability.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology
Intestinal obstruction triggers a series of physiological responses, starting with gas and fluid accumulation in the bowel segment proximal to the obstruction, leading to distension. This distended intestine compresses the diaphragm, hindering lung expansion and potentially leading to reduced respiratory effort, atelectasis, and pneumonia.To overcome the blockage, the gut intensifies contractions, causing colicky abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, which reduces fluid and food intake and...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...