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Updated: Mar 21, 2026

In Vitro Apical-Out Enteroid Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: June 8, 2022
Increase in pro-apoptotic Bax expression and decrease in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression in newborns with necrotizing
Ufuk Ates1, Gulnur Gollu2, Gonul Kucuk2
1Ankara University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ankara, Turkey. drufukates@gmail.com.
Background/Aim:
The aim of the present study was to find out if there is an increase in the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and reduction in expression of anti-apoptotic Blc-2A1 in newborn intestines with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
Materials And Methods:
We compared 8 consecutive newborn patients undergoing bowel resection for NEC with 8 neonates undergoing intestinal resection for ileal atresia. Histopathological evaluation of tissue injury and apoptosis was performed by using light microscopic examination and TUNEL method. The mRNA level of apoptotic (CASP3, CASP6, CASP7, Bax, BIRC2) and anti-apoptotic genes were evaluated by PCR array method. Protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry.
Results:
We compared 8 consecutive newborn patients undergoing bowel resection for NEC with 8 neonates undergoing intestinal resection for ileal atresia. Histopathological evaluation of tissue injury and apoptosis was performed by using light microscopic examination and TUNEL method. The mRNA level of apoptotic (CASP3, CASP6, CASP7, Bax, BIRC2) and anti-apoptotic genes were evaluated by PCR array method. Protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry.
Conclusions:
Our data in humannewborns suggest that alteration of the balance between pro-apoptotic Bax expression and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2A1 expression in the site of injury is a possible mechanism in the pathogenesis of NEC.
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