Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Hand Dissection of Caenorhabditis elegans Intestines
Published on: September 13, 2022
Damage on functional state of intestinal barrier by microgravity stress in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Huanliang Liu1, Dongqin Guo2, Yan Kong1
1Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
Abstract:
Due to short life cycle, nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a suitable animal model for assessing the effect of long-term simulated microgravity treatment on organisms. We here investigated the effect of simulated microgravity treatment for 24-h on development and functional state of intestinal barrier in nematodes. Simulated microgravity treatment not only caused a broadened intestinal lumen, but also enhanced intestinal permeability. Intestinal overexpression of SOD-2, a mitochondrial Mn-SOD protein, prevented the damage on functional state of intestinal barrier by simulated microgravity and induced a resistance to toxicity of simulated microgravity, suggesting the crucial role of oxidative stress in inducing the damage on functional state of intestinal barrier in simulated microgravity treated nematodes. For the molecular basis of damage on functional state of intestinal barrier, we observed significant decrease in expressions of some genes (acs-22, erm-1, and hmp-2) required for maintenance of functional state of intestinal barrier in simulated microgravity treated nematodes. Our results highlight the potential of long-term simulated microgravity treatment in inducing intestinal damage in animals.
Related Concept Videos
Digestive Functions of the Large Intestine
As the chyme moves to the colon, it triggers two characteristic sluggish contractions - haustral churning and mass peristalsis. Haustral churning involves the rhythmic contraction and relaxation...
Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
Physiological Barriers
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
Responses to Salt Stress
Small Intestine
The small intestine is divided into three main sections - the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The duodenum, approximately 25 cm long, is nearest the stomach. It acts as a 'mixing bowl,' where chyme (partially digested food) blends with digestive enzymes from the pancreas and liver. The duodenum's unique...

