Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “INTESTINES”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Anteroposterior gradient of epithelial transformation during amphibian intestinal remodeling: immunohistochemical detection of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein.

To determine whether the remodeling of the well-organized intestinal epithelium during amphibian metamorphosis is regionally regulated along the anteroposterior axis of the intestine, we raised a polyclonal antibody against the Xenopus laevis intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (IFABP), which is known to be specifically expressed in intestinal absorptive cells, and examined immunohistochemically the differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis of the epithelial cells throughout X. laevis small intestine. During pre- and prometamorphosis, IFABP-immunoreactive (ir) epithelial cells were localized only in the anterior half of the larval intestine. At the beginning of metamorphic climax, apoptotic cells detected by nick end-labeling (TUNEL) suddenly increased in number in the entire larval epithelium, concurrently with the appearance of adult epithelial primordia. Subsequently, the adult primordia in the anterior part of the intestine developed more rapidly by active cell proliferation than those in the posterior part, and replaced the larval epithelial cells earlier than those in the posterior part. IFABP-ir cells in the adult epithelium were first detectable at the tips of newly formed folds in the proximal part of the intestine. Thereafter, IFABP expression gradually progressed both in the anteroposterior direction and in the crest-trough direction of the folds. These results suggest that developmental processes of the adult epithelium in the X. laevis intestine are regionally regulated along the anteroposterior axis of the intestine, which is maintained throughout metamorphosis, and along the trough-crest axis of the epithelial folds, which is newly established during metamorphosis. Furthermore, the regional differences in IFABP expression along the anteroposterior axis of the intestine were reproduced in organ cultures in vitro. In addition, IFABP expression was first down-regulated and then reactivated in vitro when the anterior part, but not the posterior part, of the larval intestine was treated with thyroid hormone (TH) for extended periods. Therefore, it seems that, in addition to TH, an endogenous factor(s) localized in the intestine itself with an anteroposterior gradient participates in the development of the adult epithelium during amphibian metamorphosis.

Animals↗

Antibodies to fragments of provasoactive intestinal peptide reveal subpopulations of vasoactive intestinal peptide containing neurons in the rat gut.

The cellular origin of peptides derived from preprovasoactive intestinal peptide has been studied in rat stomach and ileum. Antisera specific for the C-terminal regions of the N-terminal flanking peptide (preprovasoactive intestinal peptide 22-80), bridging peptide (preprovasoactive intestinal peptide 111-124), C-terminal flanking peptide (preprovasoactive intestinal peptide 156-170) and vasoactive intestinal peptide were used in immunohistochemical studies on sections and whole mounts. All four antisera stained nerve fibres and cell bodies in the stomach and intestine. However, there were distinct differences in the pattern of colocalization of peptides derived from provasoactive intestinal peptide. In the sub-mucous plexus of the ileum virtually 100% of neurons reacting with vasoactive intestinal peptide antibodies also reacted with antibodies to the other three peptides. In contrast, in the stomach, while all vasoactive intestinal peptide-immunoreactive neurons of the myenteric plexus contained C-terminal flanking peptide- and bridging peptide-like immunoreactivity, only 50% of these cells reacted with the antiserum to N-terminal flanking peptide. The data indicate that in a population of neurons in the myenteric plexus of the rat stomach, preprovasoactive intestinal peptide is processed in such a way that the antigenic determinant of the N-terminal flanking peptide is not produced. In a second population of enteric neurons in the stomach, and in the intestine, it appears that processing of preprovasoactive intestinal peptide results in the production of peptides reacting with antibodies to vasoactive intestinal peptide, the flanking and bridging peptides.

Animals↗

Human intestinal epithelial cells produce proinflammatory cytokines in response to infection in a SCID mouse-human intestinal xenograft model of amebiasis.

The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica causes amebic dysentery and amebic liver abscess, diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. E. histolytica infection appears to involve the initial attachment of amebic trophozoites to intestinal epithelial cells, followed by lysis of these cells and subsequent invasion into the submucosa. A recent in vitro study (L. Eckmann, S. L. Reed, J. R. Smith, and M. F. Kagnoff, J. Clin. Invest. 96:1269-1279, 1995) demonstrated that incubation of E. histolytica trophozoites with epithelial cell lines results in epithelial cell production of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-8, suggesting that intestinal epithelial cell production of cytokines might play a role in the inflammatory response and tissue damage seen in intestinal amebiasis. To determine whether intestinal epithelial cell production of IL-1 and IL-8 occurs in response to E. histolytica infection in vivo and as an approach to studying the specific interactions between amebic trophozoites and human intestine, we used a SCID mouse-human intestinal xenograft (SCID-HU-INT) model of disease, where human intestinal xenografts were infected with virulent E. histolytica trophozoites. Infection of xenografts with E. histolytica trophozoites resulted in extensive tissue damage, which was associated with the development of an early inflammatory response composed primarily of neutrophils. Using oligonucleotide primers that specifically amplify human IL-1beta and IL-8, we could demonstrate by reverse transcription PCR that mRNA for both IL-1beta and IL-8 is produced by human intestinal xenografts in response to amebic infection. The increase in human intestinal IL-1beta and IL-8 in response to invasive amebiasis was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays specific for human IL-1beta and IL-8. Using immunohistochemistry, we confirmed that human intestinal epithelial cells were the source of IL-8 in infected xenografts and established that IL-8 production can occur at sites distal to areas of intestinal mucosal damage. These results demonstrate that human intestinal epithelial cells can produce inflammatory cytokines in response to infection in vivo and establish the SCID-HU-INT model as a system for studying the interactions between E. histolytica and human intestine.

Animals↗

Projections of substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive nerve fibres in the canine intestine, with special reference to the innervation of the circular muscle.

Antisera raised against neuron specific enolase (NSE), substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were used to reveal nerve fibres in the wall of the canine small and large intestine. The circular muscle of the colon was innervated by nerve fibre bundles that ran parallel to the muscle throughout its thickness. A plexus of fibre bundles was found against the inner (submucosal) surface of the circular muscle. Fibres with substance P, VIP and TH immunoreactivity all contributed to this innervation. The circular muscle of the small intestine was distinctly separated into outer and inner layers by a dense plexus of nerve fibres, the deep muscular plexus. The outer and inner circular muscle were innervated by substance P, VIP and TH fibres. Extrinsic denervation through the severing of nerve fibres in the mesentery caused TH fibres in the intestine to degenerate, but had no detectable effect on the fibres with substance P or VIP immunoreactivity. Myectomy (the removal of the myenteric plexus from the full circumference of the intestine over a distance of 2-3 cm), performed 7-13 days before tissue was taken, resulted in an almost complete loss of substance P fibres from the circular muscle of the colon and the outer circular muscle of the small intestine. However, many fibres persisted in the deep muscular plexus of the small intestine, and most fibres remained in its inner circular muscle. The changes in distribution of VIP fibres were almost identical, except that a small proportion of reactive fibres remained in the circular muscle of the colon and the outer circular muscle of the small intestine. It is concluded that the circular muscle layers of the small intestine and colon have dual sources of intrinsic nerve supply: the myenteric ganglia supply fibres primarily to the outer part of the muscle and the submucous ganglia supply fibres to the inner muscle. The present study further demonstrated that VIP fibres ran anally in the myenteric plexus of both the small and large intestine, whereas substance P fibres ran orally in the large intestine and both orally and anally in the small intestine. The innervation of the muscularis mucosae and mucosa by substance P and VIP fibres was not affected by myectomy or extrinsic denervation, and these structures are therefore likely to be innervated by nerve cells in the submucous ganglia.

Animals↗

Characterization of a vasoactive intestinal peptide-sensitive adenylate cyclase in rat intestinal epithelial cell membranes.

A vasoactive intestinal peptide-sensitive adenylate cyclase in intestinal epithelial cell membranes was characterized. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity was a function of vasoactive intestinal peptide concentration over a range of 1 . 10(-10)-1 . 10(-7) M and was increased six-times by a maximally stimulating concentration of vasoactive intestinal peptide. Half-maximal stimulation was observed with 4.1 +/- 0.7 nM vasoactive intestinal peptide. Fluoride ion stimulated adenylate cyclase activity to a higher extent than did vasoactive intestinal peptide. Under standard assay conditions, basal, vasoactive intestinal peptide- and fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were proportional to time of incubation up to 15 min and to membrane concentration up to 60 microgram protein per assay. The vasoactive intestinal peptide-sensitive enzyme required 5-10 mM Mg2+ and was inhibited by 1 . 10(-5) M Ca2+. At sufficiently high concentrations, both ATP (3 mM) and Mg2+ (40 mM) inhibited the enzyme. Secretin also stimulated the adenylate cyclase activity from intestinal epithelial cell membranes but its effectiveness was 1/1000 that of vasoactive intestinal peptide. Prostaglandins E1 and E2 at 1 . 10(-5) M induced a two-fold increase of cyclic AMP production. Vasoactive intestinal peptide was the most potent stimulator of adenylate cyclase activity, suggesting an important physiological role of this peptide in the cyclic AMP-dependent regulation of the intestinal epithelial cell function.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Effect of dopexamine on intestinal tissue concentrations of high-energy phosphates and intestinal release of purine compounds in endotoxemic rats.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of dopexamine, a synthetic catecholamine ligand for dopaminergic and beta2-adrenergic receptors, on intestinal release of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) degradation products and on intestinal tissue concentrations of high-energy phosphates during endotoxemia. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Experimental laboratory. SUBJECTS: Twenty-one male Wistar rats. INTERVENTIONS: Rats given endotoxin (Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide [LPS]; 1.5 mg/kg i.v. over 60 mins) were treated with a continuous infusion of dopexamine (DPX; 2.5 microg/kg/min, n = 7, group LPS + DPX) or 0.9% saline (n = 7, group LPS) during a study period of 120 mins. Animals in the control group (n = 7) received a volume-equivalent infusion of 0.9% saline without endotoxin. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In all groups, arterial and portal venous concentrations of adenosine, hypoxanthine, and uric acid were measured at baseline and at 60 and 120 mins after the endotoxin challenge, and we calculated the portal venous/arterial concentration differences as an indicator of the intestinal release of the purine compounds. Furthermore, at the end of the study, the intestinal tissue concentrations of the high-energy phosphates ATP, adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), creatine phosphate, and adenosine were determined, and we calculated the adenine nucleotide pool, the ATP/ADP and AMP/adenosine ratios, and the adenylate energy charge of the intestinal tissue. Endotoxemia decreases intestinal tissue ATP, ADP, AMP, and creatine phosphate concentrations, increases tissue adenosine content, and increases the release of hypoxanthine and uric acid from the intestinal tract. Dopexamine attenuates the endotoxin-induced decrease of the intestinal tissue adenine nucleotide pool, the AMP/adenosine ratio, and the release of the ATP-degradation products hypoxanthine and uric acid from the intestinal tract. CONCLUSIONS: Normotensive endotoxemia is associated with a deterioration of the intestinal energy balance and an increased release of ATP degradation products, indicating intestinal tissue ischemia. Furthermore, these results suggest the beneficial effects of dopexamine on pathophysiologic alterations of the intestinal energy metabolism during endotoxemia.

Adenosine↗

Increased intestinal vitamin D receptor in genetic hypercalciuric rats. A cause of intestinal calcium hyperabsorption.

In humans, familial or idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) is a common cause of hypercalciuria and predisposes to calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. Intestinal calcium hyperabsorption is a constant feature of IH and may be due to either a vitamin D-independent process in the intestine, a primary overproduction of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], or a defect in renal tubular calcium reabsorption. Selective breeding of spontaneously hypercalciuric male and female Sprague-Dawley rats resulted in offspring with hypercalciuria, increased intestinal calcium absorption, and normal serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels. The role of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the regulation of intestinal calcium absorption was explored in 10th generation male genetic IH rats and normocalciuric controls. Urine calcium excretion was greater in IH rats than controls (2.9 +/- 0.3 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.2 mg/24 h, P < 0.001). IH rat intestine contained twice the abundance of VDR compared with normocalciuric controls (536 +/- 73 vs. 243 +/- 42 nmol/mg protein, P < 0.001), with no difference in the affinity of the receptor for its ligand. Comparable migration of IH and normal intestinal VDR on Western blots and of intestinal VDR mRNA by Northern analysis suggests that the VDR in IH rat intestine is not due to large deletion or addition mutations of the wild-type VDR. IH rat intestine contained greater concentrations of vitamin D-dependent calbindin 9-kD protein. The present studies strongly suggest that increased intestinal VDR number and normal levels of circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 result in increased functional VDR-1,25(OH)2D3 complexes, which exert biological actions in enterocytes to increase intestinal calcium transport. Intestinal calcium hyperabsorption in the IH rat may be the first example of a genetic disorder resulting from a pathologic increase in VDR.

Animals↗

A dosimetry model for the small intestine incorporating intestinal wall activity and cross-doses.

UNLABELLED: Current internal radiation dosimetry models for the small intestine, and for most walled organs, lack the ability to account for the activity uptake in the intestinal wall. In existing models the cross-dose from nearby loops of the small intestine is not taken into consideration. The aim of this investigation was to develop a general model for calculating the absorbed dose to the radiation-sensitive cells in the small intestinal mucosa from radionuclides located in the small intestinal wall or contents. METHODS: A model was developed for calculation of the self-dose and cross-dose from activity in the intestinal wall or contents. The small intestine was modeled as a cylinder with 2 different wall thicknesses and with an infinite length. Calculations were performed for various mucus thicknesses. S values were calculated using the EGS4 Monte Carlo simulation package with the PRESTA algorithm and the simulation results were integrated over the depth of the radiosensitive cells. The cross-organ dose was calculated by summing the dose contributions from other intestinal segments. Calculations of S values for self-dose and cross-dose were made for monoenergetic electrons, 0.050-10 MeV, and for the radionuclides (99m)Tc, (111)In, (131)I, (67)Ga, (90)Y, and (211)At. RESULTS: The self-dose S value from activity located in the small intestinal wall is considerably greater than the S values for self-dose from the contents and the cross-dose from wall and contents except for high electron energies. For all radionuclides investigated and for electrons 0.10-0.20 MeV and 8-10 MeV in energy, the cross-dose from activity in the contents is higher than the self-dose from the contents. The mucus thickness affects the S value when the activity is located in the contents. CONCLUSION: A dosimetric model for the small intestine was developed that takes into consideration the localization of the radiopharmaceutical in the intestinal wall or in the contents. It also calculates the contribution from self-dose and cross-dose. With this model, more accurate calculations of absorbed dose to radiation-sensitive cells in the intestine are possible.

Electrons↗

Effect of gastroduodenostomy on intestinal vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels, and VIP binding and VIP stimulation of cyclic AMP in intestinal epithelial cells from rat.

The concentration of VIP in duodenum and jejunum as well as the interaction of VIP (binding and stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation) with epithelial cells from both gut segments were studied in rats after surgical bypass of the pylorus by gastroduodenostomy. Duodenal VIP concentration increased in rats with gastroduodenostomy as compared to sham-operated animals. The binding capacity (but not the affinity) of VIP binding sites and the efficiency (but not the potency) of VIP on cyclic AMP accumulation decreased in the condition of gastroduodenostomy. However, no modifications in either VIP concentration and interaction could be seen at the jejunal level.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Effects of intestinal electrical stimulation on intestinal dysrhythmia and symptoms in dogs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intestinal electrical stimulation on small intestinal dysrhythmia and motion sickness-like symptoms induced by vasopressin. Female dogs chronically implanted with two pairs of electrodes on jejunum serosa were used in a four-session study. Saline and vasopressin were infused in sessions 1 and 2, respectively. Sessions 3 and 4 were the same as session 2, except a long- or short-pulse intestinal electrical stimulation was applied on the proximal pair of electrodes. Intestinal slow waves and motion sickness-like symptoms were recorded in each session. Results were as follows. (1) Vasopressin induced intestinal dysrhythmia, uncoupling of slow waves, and vomiting and motion sickness-like symptoms (P < 0.05, ANOVA). (2) Intestinal electrical stimulation with long pulses, but not short pulses, was capable of preventing vasopressin-induced intestinal dysrhythmia. (3) Intestinal electrical stimulation with short pulses, but not long pulses, prevented vomiting and the motion sickness-like symptoms. It is concluded that vasopressin induces intestinal dysrhythmia. Long-pulse intestinal stimulation normalizes vasopressin-induced intestinal slow-wave abnormalities with no improvement in symptoms. Short-pulse stimulation prevents emetic symptoms induced by vasopressin but has no effect on slow waves. These data suggest different mechanisms involved with different methods of intestinal stimulation.

Animals↗

Hypertonic saline reverses stiffness in a Sprague-Dawley rat model of acute intestinal edema, leading to improved intestinal function.

INTRODUCTION: Acute edema induced by resuscitation and mesenteric venous hypertension impairs intestinal transit and contractility and reduces intestinal stiffness. Pretreatment with hypertonic saline (HS) can prevent these changes. Changes in tissue stiffness have been shown to trigger signaling cascades via stress fiber formation. We proposed that acute intestinal edema leads to a decrease in intestinal transit that may be mediated by changes in stiffness, leading to stress fiber formation and decreased intestinal transit. Furthermore, HS administration will abolish these detrimental effects of edema. RESULTS: Intestinal edema causes a significant increase in tissue water and a significant decrease in intestinal transit and stiffness compared with sham. HS reversed these changes to sham levels. In addition, tissue edema led to significant stress fiber formation and decreased numbers of focal contacts. HS preserved tissue stiffness, prevented stress fiber formation, and was associated with improved intestinal function. CONCLUSION: HS eliminates intestinal tissue edema formation and improves intestinal transit. In addition, the action of HS may be mediated through its preservation of tissue stiffness, which leads to prevention of signaling via stress fiber formation, leading to preserved intestinal function. Finally, intestinal edema may provide a novel physiologic model for examining stiffness and stress fiber signaling.

Acute Disease↗