Brief Reports
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2005. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2005; 11(39): 6216-6218
Published online Oct 21, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i39.6216
Alterations of intestinal immune function and regulatory effects of L-arginine in experimental severe acute pancreatitis rats
Shi-Feng Qiao, Tian-Jing Lü, Jia-Bang Sun, Fei Li
Shi-Feng Qiao, Department of General Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Beijing 100038, China
Tian-Jing Lü, Department of Immunology, Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
Jia-Bang Sun, Fei Li, Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Shi-Feng Qiao, Department of General Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Yangfangdian District, Beijing 100038, China. qiaoshf@tom.com
Received: December 8, 2004
Revised: January 2, 2005
Accepted: January 5, 2005
Published online: October 21, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To discuss the changes of intestinal mucosal immune function in rats with experimental severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and the regulatory effect of L-arginine.

METHODS: Male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into pancreatitis group, sham-operation group, and L-arginine treatment group. Animals were killed at 24, 48, and 72 h after SAP models were developed and specimens were harvested. Endotoxin concentration in portal vein was determined by limulus endotoxin analysis kit. CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes in intestinal mucosal lamina propria were examined by immunohistochemistry. Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in cecum feces was examined by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS: Compared to the control group, plasma endotoxin concentration in the portal vein increased, percentage of CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in the end of intestinal mucosal lamina propria reduced significantly, CD4+/CD8+ ratio decreased, and SIgA concentrations in cecum feces reduced at 24, 48, and 72 h after SAP developed. Compared to SAP group, the L-arginine treatment group had a lower level of plasma endotoxin concentration in the portal vein, a higher CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocyte percentage in the end of intestinal mucosal lamina propria, an increased ratio of CD4+/CD8+ and a higher SIgA concentration in cecum feces.

CONCLUSION: Intestinal immune suppression occurs in the early stage of SAP rats, which may be the main reason for bacterial and endotoxin translocation. L-arginine can improve the intestinal immunity and reduce bacterial and endotoxin translocation in SAP rats.

Keywords: Acute pancreatitis; Immunity; Intestinal mucosa; L-arginine