Basic Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2003. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 15, 2003; 9(3): 534-538
Published online Mar 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i3.534
Effect of cisapride on intestinal bacterial and endotoxin translocation in cirrhosis
Shun-Cai Zhang, Wei Wang, Wei-Ying Ren, Bo-Ming He, Kang Zhou, Wu-Nan Zhu
Shun-Cai Zhang, Wei-Ying Ren, Bo-Ming He, Kang Zhou, Wu-Nan Zhu, Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
Wei Wang, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 200032, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation No.30070340
Correspondence to: Dr. Shun-Cai Zhang, Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China. zhangsc.zshospital.@net
Telephone: +86-21-64041990-2424
Received: June 11, 2002
Revised: June 25, 2002
Accepted: July 19, 2002
Published online: March 15, 2003
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effects of cisapride on intestinal bacterial overgrowth (IBO), bacterial and endotoxin translocation, intestinal transit and permeability in cirrhotic rats.

METHODS: All animals were assessed with variables including bacterial and endotoxin translocation, intestinal bacterial overgrowth, intestinal transit and permeability. Bacterial translocation (BT) was assessed by bacterial culture of MLN, liver and spleen, IBO by a jejunal bacterial count of the specific organism, intestinal permeability by determination of the 24-hour urinary 99mTc-DTPA excretion and intestinal transit by measurement of the distribution of 51Cr in the intestine.

RESULTS: Bacterial translocation (BT) and IBO was found in 48% and 80% cirrhotic rats respectively and none in control rats. Urinary excretion of 99mTc-DTPA in cirrhotic rats with BT (22.2 ± 7.8) was greater than these without BT (10.5 ± 2.9). Intestinal transit (geometric center ratio) was significantly delayed in cirrhotic rats (0.31 ± 0.06) and further more delayed in cirrhotic rats with BT (0.24 ± 0.06) than these without BT (0.38 ± 0.11). Cirrhotic rats with IBO had significantly higher rates of intestinal bacterial and endotoxin translocation, slower intestinal transit time and higher intestinal permeability than those without IBO. It was also found that BT was closely associated with IBO and the injury of intestinal barrier. Compared with the placebo group, cisapride-treated rats had lower rates of bacterial/endotoxin translocation and IBO, which was closely associated with increased intestinal transit and improved intestinal permeability by cisapride.

CONCLUSION: These results indicate that endotoxin and bacterial translocation in cirrhotic rats may be attributed to IBO and increased intestinal permeability. Cisapride that accelerates intestinal transit and improve intestinal permeability might be helpful in preventing intestinal bacterial and endotoxin translocation.

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