[Countermeasures for hypofunction of gut associated lymphoid tissue during TPN in rats]

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) causes atrophy of the intestinal mucosa, resulting in the degeneration and atrophy of gut associated lymphoid tissues (GALT). This suppressive effect of TPN on GALT was examined using rats. In rats receiving TPN for 2 weeks, a decrease and atrophy of Peyer's patches and a decrease in thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) were observed. Daily oral administration of 1000 mg/kg PSK to the rat in the TPN group corrected the number and size of Peyer's patches, and the number of TDL and its subsets were also improved compared with the TPN group. Diminution of the S-IgA of bile and portal venous blood was noticed during TPN in rats. But the groups PSK administrated were increased the amount of S-IgA in bile and portal venous blood. The immune plasma cells in the Peyer's patches were observed, the number of the MHC-class II, T helper, and IL-2 (T CGF) positive cells were decreased in the TPN group compared with control group (PSK group). It has been concluded, therefore, that PSK is effective for improving GALT inhibition caused by TPN.