EXPRESSION OF E-CADHERIN AND CLAUDIN-3 IN THE COLONIC EPITHELIUM AFTER THE INFLIXIMAB THERAPY: EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF DISUSE COLITIS.

Aim: The etiopathogenesis of disuse colitis (DC) has not yet been fully elucidated. The main theories consider that the disease may be related to an increase in anaerobic bacteria, the lack of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) supply, and immunological disorders that develop in the colorectal segments devoid of fecal transit. The aim of this study was to verify whether the application of infliximab modifies the tissue content of E-cadherin and claudin-3 proteins in colonic epithelium of rats devoid of intestinal transit.

Tissue content of metalloproteinase-9 and collagen in the colon with and without fecal stream after intervention with infliximab in rats subjected to Hartmann's surgery.

Purpose: Quantify the tissue content of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and collagen in colic mucosa with and without intestinal transit after infliximab administration in rats subjected to Hartmann's surgery.

Methods: Twenty-two rats underwent colon diversion by Hartmann's surgery. Animals were maintained with intestinal bypass for 12 weeks to induce development of diversion colitis (DC).