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Exploratory Investigation of Intestinal Structure and Function after Stroke in Mice
Diya Ye1, Yuting Hu1, Ning Zhu2,3
1Department of Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China.
Mediators of Inflammation
|March 1, 2021
Summary
Ischemic stroke impairs intestinal structure and function, increasing permeability and inflammation. These findings highlight the need for gastrointestinal protection in stroke patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
Background:
- Stroke is a leading global cause of death, often leading to gastrointestinal complications.
- Gastrointestinal tract changes post-stroke are understudied.
- Existing research lacks focus on intestinal structural and functional alterations after stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate intestinal structure and function changes in mice following ischemic stroke.
- To identify molecular mechanisms underlying gut dysfunction post-stroke.
Main Methods:
- Ischemic stroke model in mice.
- Collection of brain and ileal tissues on days 1 and 7 post-stroke.
- Intestinal motility and permeability assays.
- Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Myeloperoxidase activity assay.
- Western blot for inflammatory and tight junction proteins.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Main Results:
- Stroke significantly inhibited intestinal motility and increased intestinal permeability.
- Increased leukocyte accumulation, Myeloperoxidase activity, and inflammatory markers (NF-κB, iNOS) in the small intestine.
- Downregulation of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1) and evidence of broken tight junctions via TEM.
- Upregulation of Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and apoptosis markers (TNF-α, caspase-3).
Conclusions:
- Ischemic stroke induces detrimental changes in intestinal structure and function.
- Inflammatory mediators and TNF-α signaling pathways likely disrupt small intestinal barrier function.
- Stroke patients require attention to gastrointestinal protection strategies.
