HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 291/5/G938    most recent 00090.2006v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (9) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Clark, J. A. Articles by Dvorak, B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Clark, J. A. Articles by Dvorak, B.

HORMONES AND SIGNALING

Intestinal barrier failure during experimental necrotizing enterocolitis: protective effect of EGF treatment

Departments of ¹Pediatrics and Steele Children’s Research Center, ²Cell Biology and Anatomy, and ³Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Submitted 24 February 2006 ; accepted in final form 19 May 2006

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common intestinal disease of premature infants. Although increased mucosal permeability and altered epithelial structure have been associated with many intestinal disorders, the role of intestinal barrier function in NEC pathogenesis is currently unknown. We investigated the structural and functional changes of the intestinal barrier in a rat model of NEC. In addition, the effect of EGF treatment on intestinal barrier function was evaluated. Premature rats were divided into three groups: dam fed (DF), formula fed (NEC), or fed with formula supplemented with 500 ng/ml EGF (NEC + EGF); all groups were exposed to asphyxia/cold stress to develop NEC. Intestinal permeability, goblet cell density, mucin production, and composition of tight junction (TJ) proteins were evaluated in the terminal ileum, the site of NEC injury, and compared with the proximal jejunum, which was unaffected by NEC. Animals with NEC had significantly increased intestinal paracellular permeability compared with DF pups. Ileal goblet cell morphology, mucin production, and TJ composition were altered in animals with NEC. EGF treatment significantly decreased intestinal paracellular permeability, increased goblet cell density and mucin production, and normalized expression of two major TJ proteins, occludin and claudin-3, in the ileum. In conclusion, experimental NEC is associated with disruption of the intestinal barrier. EGF treatment maintains intestinal integrity at the site of injury by accelerating goblet cell maturation and mucin production and normalizing expression of TJ proteins, leading to improved intestinal barrier function.

intestinal permeability; tight junctions; rat; epidermal growth factor

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Bagherie-Lachidan, S. I. Wright, and S. P. Kelly Claudin-3 tight junction proteins in Tetraodon nigroviridis: cloning, tissue-specific expression, and a role in hydromineral balance Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, May 1, 2008; 294(5): R1638 - R1647. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Raimondi, P. Santoro, M. V. Barone, S. Pappacoda, M. L. Barretta, M. Nanayakkara, C. Apicella, L. Capasso, and R. Paludetto Bile acids modulate tight junction structure and barrier function of Caco-2 monolayers via EGFR activation Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, April 1, 2008; 294(4): G906 - G913. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]