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Published on: June 24, 2020
L-FABP and I-FABP expression in newborn rats changes inversely in the model of necrotizing enterocolitis
Luís Felipe Tsuyoshi Mitidiero1, Ana Leda Bertoncini Simões1, Frances Lilian Lanhellas Gonçalves2
1Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Purpose:
To determine the expression of hepatic L-FABP and intestinal I-FABP in an experimental model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in neonatal rats.
Methods:
Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: Control (C1) - exclusive breastfeeding at the first and sixth procedures (C6), NEC1 - fed formula milk and submitted to hypoxia and hypothermia at the first and sixth procedures (NEC6). The newborn pups were fed twice a day for three days, for a total of six procedures. Samples were collected for morphometric evaluation (body weight, liver weight, liver weight/body weight ratio, intestinal weight and intestinal/body weight ratio) and for immunohistochemical and Western blotting analysis. The values obtained were analyzed statistically, with the level of significance set at p<0.05.
Results:
Morphometric measurements showed reduction of body and liver weights in the NEC group (p<0.05). Both immunohistochemistry and western blotting revealed that L-FABP expression in the liver was decreased and I-FABP expression in the ileum was increased in the NEC group (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
L-FABP and I-FABP expression changed inversely in the rat NEC model. These findings can contribute to a better diagnosis of NEC in human newborns.
