Burn and starvation increase programmed cell death in small bowel epithelial cells

• Published in: Digestive diseases and sciences Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 415 - 420
• Main Authors: JESCHKE, M. G, DEBROY, M. A, WOLF, S. E, RAJARAMAN, S, THOMPSON, J. C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.02.2000; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis; Biological and medical sciences; Burns - physiopathology; Cell death; Enteral Nutrition; Epithelial Cells - physiology; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Intestinal Mucosa - physiopathology; Intestine, Small - physiopathology; Male; Medical sciences; Other diseases. Semiology; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Starvation - physiopathology; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Time Factors; Cell proliferation; Fasting; Rat; Rodentia; Nutrition disorder; Trauma; Small intestine; Burn; Vertebrata; Experimental disease; Mammalia; Animal; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Epithelial cell; Biological effect; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 0163-2116; 1573-2568
• DOI: 10.1023/a:1005445501016

Maintenance of gut mucosal homeostasis depends on a balance between cell proliferation and cell death. Gut mucosal integrity is impaired after severe burn and during starvation. We determined the effect of burn, starvation, and the combination of both on small bowel epithelial apoptosis and proliferation. Fifty adult male Fischer 344 rats (260-300 g) received a 60% full-thickness scald burn and were randomly divided into fed and starved groups. Small intestine was taken at 12, 24, and 48 hr after injury. All animals in the 12-hr group were starved while recovering from anesthesia. Apoptosis was quantified by immunohistochemical staining (TUNEL) and mucosal proliferation was determined by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. The apoptotic index was higher in burned rats compared to controls at 12 hr after burn; both these groups were starved (P < 0.05). At 24 and 48 hr after burn, apoptosis was highest in the starved groups, with no additional effects of burn (P < 0.05). Mucosal epithelial cell proliferation was not different between groups at any time point. In conclusion, burn and starvation both increase apoptosis in the small bowel mucosa; however, these effects are not additive. Apoptosis could be attenuated by enteral feeding, which delineates the importance of early enteral feeding initiation after injury to maintain mucosal integrity.