Morphology of ileal and jejunal pouches used as rectal substitutes

PURPOSE: Our aim was to determine whether the mucosa of a canine jejunal pouch used as a rectal substitute after proctocolectomy retains its morphologic features better than the mucosa of a canine ileal pouch so used. METHODS: Among ten dogs that underwent proctocolectomy, five had a jejunal pouch-distal rectal anastomosis and five an ileal pouch-distal rectal anastomosis. After six months, the animals were killed, the intestinal pouches and portions of unaltered distal ileum were removed, and a blinded, mucosal morphometric analysis was performed. RESULTS: The mucosa of the jejunal pouches had an overall thickness (mean ± standard deviation, anterior and posterior walls, 1,300 ± 140 μm), villous height (286 ± 46 μm), and crypt depth (790 ± 77 μm) greater than that of the ileal pouches (920 ± 170, 208 ± 47, and 530 ± 130 μm, respectively; P < 0.05). Moreover, the mucosal thickness of the jejunal pouches was similar to that of the distal ileum proximal to the pouch (1,200 ± 200 μm; P > 0.05), whereas the mucosal thickness of the ileal pouch was thinner (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The jejunal mucosa retains its major morphometric features when the jejunum is used as a rectal substitute after proctocolectomy. In contrast, the ileal mucosa atrophies when the ileum is so used.

Gastric and small intestinal lesions after partial stomach resection with Billroth II or Roux-en-Y reconstruction in the rat

The evolution and phenotypic expression of mucosal lesions of the gastric stump were investigated in male rats submitted to gastric resection with reconstruction by the Billroth II technique (BII with biliopancreatic reflux, BPR) or by the Roux-en-Y procedure (without BPR). Animals were studied at 24, 36, 54 and 64 weeks after surgery and the phenotypic expression of lesions analysed using routine hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining for pepsinogen isoenzyme 1 and histochemical procedures for mucins (paradoxical concanavalin A, galactose oxidase Schiff (GOS) and sialidase GOS reactions). BPR was found to be responsible for the formation of adenomatous hyperplasia (AH), increasing in incidence and size with time, since the Roux-en-Y procedure failed to induce the gastric stump lesions observed after BII reconstruction. AHs always occurred in the transition of the gastrojejunal junction, a site offering special conditions for BPR influence, and were classified as gastric (G), intestinal (I) and G+I types according to their phenotypic expression. No pure I type AH was diagnosed at any time point. The G and G+I types developed at approximately equal incidences (i.e., G type 7/17, G+I type 10/17 at the 64th week). It was suggested that both gastric and intestinal mucosal elements were stimulated to proliferate by BPR, with the gastric mucosa tending to demonstrate AH. Intestinal type components of AH were found adjacent to the jejunum and not at the stomach margin, indicating an origin from intestinal mucosa. No metaplasia of the gastric mucosa was observed in any animal after partial gastric resection. In 101 rats submitted to the BII procedure, 5 mucinous adenocarcinomas were eventually diagnosed, mostly located in the subserosa of the gastrojejunal junction. All carcinomas expressed the phenotype of cells of the small intestine. Evidence of malignant transformation within the gastric components of AH was not observed even at the 64th week. In conclusion, all lesions induced by BPR in the rat remnant stomach are benign, and the few true cancers that arise in association are derived from the small intestine.

História clínica e alimentar de crianças atendidas em ambulatório de gastroenterologia pediátrica (GEP) com constipação intestinal crônica funcional (CICF) e suas possíveis complicações

In order to better understand the natural history of chronic functional constipation, a questionnaire was applied to 163 children and infants, before beginning standardized treatment. Median age (range) at start was 3 mo(0-108 mo) but age at arrival at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit was 53 mo(2-146 mo). In 62.4% of the cases symptoms began before or up to 3 mo after cow's milk introduction and rarely around (-/+ 6 mo) toilet training. Possible complications appeared progressively, often at preschool or school age or as the first noticeable manifestation: recurrent abdominal pain (61.1%), fecal soiling (45.4%), fecal blood (35%), enuresis (23.3%), vomiting (19%), urinary infection (17.9%), urinary retention (8.6%). Abdominal distension was rarely detected on physical examination and was usually discrete. In conclusion, children attended in Botucatu begin their constipation at an early age, frequently associated with weaning,and important complications may ensue along years. This evolution should be avoided by prevention and early treatment of constipation.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Brazilian ginseng (Pfaffia paniculata) on TNBS-induced intestinal inflammation: experimental evidence

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing, idiopathic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical studies suggest that the initiation of IBD is multifactorial, involving genetics, the immune system and environmental factors, such as diet, drugs and stress. Pfaffia paniculata is an adaptogenic medicinal plant used in Brazilian folk medicine as an anti-stress agent. Thus, we hypothesised that the P. paniculata enhances the response of animals subjected to colonic inflammation. Our aim was to investigate the intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of P. paniculata in rats before or after induction of intestinal inflammation using trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). The animals were divided into groups that received the vehicle, prednisolone or P. paniculata extract daily starting 14days before or 7days after TNBS induction. At the end of the procedure, the animals were killed and their colons were assessed for the macroscopic damage score (MDS), extent of the lesion (EL) and weight/length ratio, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and glutathione (GSH), cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Histological evaluation and ultrastructural analysis of the colonic samples were performed. Treatment with the 200mg/kg dose on the curative schedule was able to reduce the MDS and the EL. In addition, MPO activity was reduced, GSH levels were maintained, and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and CRP were decreased. In conclusion, the protective effect of P. paniculata was related to reduced oxidative stress and CRP colonic levels, and due to immunomodulatory activity as evidenced by reduced levels of IL-1β, INF-γ, TNF-α and IL-6.

Experimental evidence of MAP kinase gene expression on the response of intestinal anti-inflammatory drugs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Immunomodulatory activity and control of Salmonella Enteritidis colonization in the intestinal tract of chickens by Lactobacillus based probiotic

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Desenvolvimento de nano e micropartículas de quitosana encapsulando 4-metilesculetina e avaliação no tratamento da doença inflamatória intestinal

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Desenvolvimento de dispersões sólidas e nanopartículas poliméricas mucoadesivas de Zidovudina e avaliação da interação biológica com a mucosa intestinal

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Multivariate morphometrics and allometry and allometry in a polymorphic ant

In this paper we describe how morphological castes can be distinguished using multivariate statistical methods combined with jackknife estimators of the allometric coefficients. Data from the polymorphic ant, Camponotus rufipes, produced two distinct patterns of allometric variation, and thus two morphological castes. Morphometric analysis distinguished different allometric patterns within the two castes, with overall variability being greater in the major workers. Caste-specific scaling variabilities were associated with the relative importance of first principal component. The static multivariate allometric coefficients for each of 10 measured characters were different between castes, but their relative magnitudes within castes were similar. Multivariate statistical analysis of worker polymorphism in ants is a more complete descriptor of shape variation than, and provides statistical and conceptual advantages over, the standard bivariate techniques commonly used.

Expression of matrix metalloproteases-2 and-9 in horse hoof laminae after intestinal obstruction, with or without Hydrocortisone treatment

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Uso do amido resistente na promoção da saúde intestinal de cães idosos: formação de produtos de fermentação e características histológicas da mucosa intestinal

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fibra para cães: efeitos sobre o processo de extrusão, digestibilidade, fermentação microbiana, tempo de retenção intestinal e palatabilidade de rações para cães

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Supplementation with protected fat to manage gastro-intestinal nematode infection in Santa Ines sheep

This experiment aimed to determine the influence of supplementation with protected fat on nematode infections in periparturient sheep or sheep in their final stage of pregnancy. Fifty Santa Ines ewes received 200 g of concentrate/animal/day, mineral salt and water and were grouped according to their weight, hematocrit and the number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG). Two diets were used: a control treatment and a treatment consisting of supplementation with 30 g/animal/day of protected fat in the concentrate. Three monthly evaluations were performed over a total of 84 days of testing. The variables analyzed were weight, body condition, EPG and coprocultures; blood tests were performed for the determination of packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration and total plasma protein, and leukograms and eosinophil counts were performed. For weight and hemoglobin concentrations, interactions were observed between diet and collection date (P<0.05); body condition, total plasma protein, packed cell volume and total leukocytes did not differ statistically among treatments (P> 0. 05) but did differ by collection day (P <0.05). The EPG and eosinophil counts did not differ statistically by either diet or collection date (P>0.05). The genus Haemonchus was predominant, followed by the genera Cooperia, Trichostrongylus and Oesophagostomum. The protected fat did not decrease EPG and did not improve the blood parameters of infected sheep.

Fermentation by gut microbiota cultured in a simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem is improved probiotic Enterococcus faecium CRL 183

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Histomorphometric study of role of lactoferrin in atrophy of the intestinal mucosa of rats

The purpose of this work was to study the effects of oral administration of lactoferrin (Lf) in rats subjected to atrophy of the small intestine induced by a diet based on soy protein concentrate as the main protein source. We used 24 male Wistar rats aged 40 days, kept in individual cages under appropriate conditions of temperature, light and humidity. The animals were divided into four groups (n = 6); 1) group SL received soy-based food and, once a day, a supplement of 200mg/kg of Lf administered by gavage; 2) group Si received the soy feed without supplement of Lf; 3) group CL received a diet based on casein plus Lf; 4) group Ci received the casein diet without supplement of Lf. At the end of fifteen days, a 10 mm segment of the initial portion of the small intestine was sectioned and subjected to morphometry of the intestinal crypts and villi and assessment of the number and size of myofibroblasts. Comparison between groups showed that the length of the villi was similar in groups Ci and CL and higher in CL than in SL; SL than in Si, in Ci than in SL, and in Ci than in Si to Ci. The crypt depth was similar in SL and CL, SL and Ci and Ci and CL and was higher in Si than in Ci and in Si than in SL. The number of myofibroblasts was higher in SL than in CL, in SL than in Si, in CL than in Ci, and in SL than in and Ci; between Ci and Si there was no difference. The area of myofibroblasts was similar between the groups SL and CL and Si and Ci and higher in SL than in Si, and in Cl than in and Ci, and in SL than in Ci. All statistical analysis assumed significance when p < 0.05. From these results, we conclude that lactoferrin increases the number and size of the pericrypt myofibroblasts and stimulates rapidly the regeneration of atrophied villi.