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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
The Mesenteric Lymph Duct Cannulated Rat Model: Application to the Assessment of Intestinal Lymphatic Drug Transport
Published on: March 6, 2015
[Effect of mesenteric lymph drainage on intestinal barrier function in rats with severe intraperitoneal infection]
Yanmin Zhang1, Naiqiang Cui, Shukun Zhang
1Intensive Care Unit, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300100, China. cnq_nkyy@yeah.net.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of mesenteric lymph drainage on intestinal barrier function in severe intraperitoneal infection (SII).
Methods:
Thirty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups(model group, drainage group and control group). SII model rats were prepared by injecting E.coli intraperitoneally. Rats in drainage group rats underwent mesentery lymphatic duct ligation and drainage 2 hours after model induction, and those in control group received equal amount of 10% BaSO4 nutrient broth injection intraperitonerally. Six hours after model induction, rats were sacrificed. The intestinal samples were collected for pathology analysis and content of DAO and concentration of TNF-α, IL-6. Content of D-lactate in blood plasma was detected.
Results:
Under light microscopy, ileum mucosa tissue structure of model group was disordered. Under transmission electron microscopy, intestinal mucosal epithelial cells of model group swelled obviously, close connection was destructed, and early apoptosis cells occurred. After mesentery lymph drainage, intestinal mucosa tissue structure was improved obviously, endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria of epithelium swelled mildly. The contents of intestinal tissue DAO in drainage group, model group and control group were (5.9±0.4) U/L, (3.0±0.1) U/L and (18.3±2.1) U/L respectively. There was significant difference among groups (P<0.05). Compared with control group [(45.4±37.9) μg/L], the plasma content of D-lactate in model group [(256.0±177.2) μg/L] increased significantly (P<0.05). The plasma content of D-lactate in drainage group [(136.9±21.5) μg/L] was not significantly different compared with model group (P>0.05), but was significantly higher compared to control group (P<0.05). Compared with control group, model group had significantly higher levels of TNF-α [(3431.3±23.9) ng/L vs. (2730.0±408.7) ng/L] and IL-6 [(86.3±1.6) ng/L vs. (30.2±0.9) ng/L] (P<0.05), while the TNF-α was (2653.2±324.1) ng/L, and the IL-6 was (50.9±0.7) ng/L in drainage group, which were significantly lower compared with model group (P<0.05).
Conclusion:
Mesenteric lymph drainage can obviously improve intestinal barrier function in severe intraperitoneal infection and may play a protective role in intestinal mucosa.
Insights
Mesenteric lymph drainage improves intestinal barrier function in severe intraperitoneal infection (SII). This intervention helps protect intestinal mucosa by reducing inflammatory markers and improving tissue structure.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Research
- Immunology
Background:
- Severe intraperitoneal infection (SII) can compromise intestinal barrier function.
- Intestinal barrier dysfunction contributes to systemic inflammation and organ damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effect of mesenteric lymph drainage on intestinal barrier integrity in a rat model of SII.
- To evaluate the impact of lymph drainage on key biomarkers of intestinal injury and inflammation.
Main Methods:
- A rat model of SII was established using intraperitoneal injection of E. coli.
- Rats were divided into model, drainage, and control groups.
- Mesenteric lymph drainage was performed in the drainage group; intestinal tissue and plasma samples were analyzed for DAO, D-lactate, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels.
Main Results:
- SII significantly disrupted ileum mucosa structure and increased intestinal permeability markers (D-lactate, DAO).
- Mesenteric lymph drainage improved intestinal mucosal architecture and reduced epithelial cell damage.
- Drainage group showed significantly lower levels of TNF-α and IL-6 compared to the model group, indicating reduced inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Mesenteric lymph drainage demonstrates a protective effect on intestinal barrier function during SII.
- This procedure may mitigate SII-induced intestinal mucosal injury and systemic inflammation.
