Characteristics of the intestinal epithelial barrier during dietary manipulation and glucocorticoid stress.

Objectives: a) To determine the significance of stress-induced alterations in intestinal permeability by measuring the transmucosal flux of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-MLP), a ubiquitous neutrophilic chemoattractant present in the human and rodent colon; and b) to determine whether stress and/or diet influence(s) bacterial adherence-induced changes in epithelial permeability by affecting the production of secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), the main immune mechanism preventing bacterial adherence.

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled study.

Setting: University animal research laboratory.

The effect of dexamethasone administration on rat intestinal permeability: the role of bacterial adherence.

Background/aims: Previous studies have shown that dexamethasone administration to rats results in diminution of biliary secretory immunoglobulin A concentration and alters intestinal barrier function to bacteria. The aims of this study were to examine and characterize the effect of dexamethasone on intestinal permeability and to determine the possible influence of bacterial adherence to the mucosa in this process.

Methods: Groups of adult Fisher rats were studied, and the effects of dexamethasone administration and bowel decontamination on bacterial adherence and intestinal permeability were determined in various bowel segments.

The effect of dexamethasone and endotoxin administration on biliary IgA and bacterial adherence.

Adherence of bacteria to the intestinal epithelial cell may be the crucial initiating event for invasion and translocation and is normally prevented by both immune (IgA) and nonimmune (mucus, peristalsis, desquamation) mucosal defense mechanisms. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of endotoxin administration on mucosal immunity and to define the role of glucocorticoids, commonly released during endotoxicosis, in this process. Thirty female Fisher rats were randomly assigned to three groups of 10 animals each.

Effect of commercially available chemically defined liquid diets on the intestinal microflora and bacterial translocation from the gut.

The effect of chemically defined liquid diets on the intestinal microflora and bacterial translocation from the gut was studied in the rat. Seventy-five female Fischer rats were randomized to five groups of 15 animals each. Group I was fed rat chow and water, group II was fed Vivonex TEN, group III was fed Ensure, group IV was fed Enrich, and group V was fed Ensure plus ground corn cobs, a crude fiber source.

Glutamine-supplemented total parenteral nutrition improves gut immune function.

Glutamine has been demonstrated to be an important source of fuel for the gut. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of glutamine-supplemented hyperalimentation on gut immune function. Thirty-six female Fischer rats were randomized into three groups: group 1 (chow) was fed rat chow and water ad libitum, group 2 (total parenteral nutrition) received a standard hyperalimentation formula, and group 3 (total parenteral nutrition-glutamine) received a hyperalimentation solution that contained 2% glutamine.

Total parenteral nutrition promotes bacterial translocation from the gut.

Bacterial translocation from the gut may be the primary event in many disease processes. The purpose of this study was to examine the route of nutrient administration on bacterial translocation from the gut. Each of 90 female Fischer rats underwent placement of a central venous catheter and was randomized to one of three groups.