Iatrogenic extracellular matrix disruption as a local trigger for postoperative ileus.

Background: Active matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) disruption of the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in inflammatory disorders. In this study, we investigated the inflammatory role of MMP-9 and the ECM breakdown product hyaluronan as a trigger for the postoperative intestinal inflammatory response of postoperative ileus.

Methods: We performed a standardized intestinal surgical manipulation on rats to produce ileus assessed by the oral non-digestible fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran transit assay.

Hemin induction of HO-1 protects against LPS-induced septic ileus.

Background: Heme oxygenase (HO-1) protects against inflammation. In this study, we investigated the protective function of hemin-induced HO-1 against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ileus.

Methods: Rats received LPS intraperitoneally 24 h after intraperitoneal hemin pretreatment or placebo.