Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
10:22
In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability
Published on: October 19, 2018
Hepatocyte tight-junctional permeability is increased in rat experimental colitis
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Padova, Italy.
Gastroenterology
|October 10, 1997
Summary
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes liver injury due to increased intestinal toxin translocation. This study found increased hepatocyte tight junction permeability in experimental IBD, contributing to liver complications.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Hepatobiliary complications are observed in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Intestinal toxin translocation via compromised hepatocyte tight junctions may cause these complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of tight junctions in the pathogenesis of hepatobiliary complications in experimental IBD.
Main Methods:
- Colitis induced in rats using trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.
- Hepatocellular tight junction function assessed via horseradish peroxidase and lanthanum permeability assays in perfused livers.
- Immunofluorescence used to examine cingulin and ZO-1 localization in hepatocyte junctions.
Main Results:
- Colitis increased serum bilirubin and bile acid levels.
- A 2.5-fold increase in paracellular horseradish peroxidase biliary excretion and a ninefold increase in lanthanum permeability were observed.
- Liver histology and tight junction protein localization remained similar to normal controls.
Conclusions:
- Experimental colitis leads to hepatobiliary complications with increased hepatocyte tight junction permeability.
- Subtle alterations in tight junction function may contribute to liver injury in IBD.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Tight Junctions
Tight junctions are molecular seals between cells that prevent the leaking of fluids, ions, and other small solutes across cavities and compartments in multicellular organisms. They are mainly composed of claudin and occludin transmembrane proteins, and other proteins such as tricellulin and JAM (junctional adhesion molecule). All these proteins are 4-pass transmembrane proteins, except JAM, which is a single-pass transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The...
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...