Abstract:Objective:To investigate the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning on extracelluar matrix of intestinal graft in rats. Methods:SD rats were randomly assigned to the following study groups: sham operation group (S group, n=6), small bowel transplantation group (SBT group, n=12), ischemic preconditioning plus small bowel transplantation group (IPSBT group, n=12). Heterotopic segmental SBT model was established.
When the graft was preserved and reperfused for 1h, samples were obtained from each group. Expression of laminin was studied by immunohistochemical means. The changes of epithelial basement membrane structure were examined by traversing electron microscopy. Results:The mean gray value of laminin positive products was 39.52±2.60,13.53±0.44,25.40±1.79, respectively, in S, SBT and IPSBT group. The mean gray value of laminin positive products in SBT group was markedly lower than that in S group
(P<0.05). However, The mean gray value of laminin positive products in IPSBT group was markedly higher than that in SBT group (P<0.05). Electron microscopically,the epithelial basement membrane in S group was linear and remained intact, but in SBT group it became disrupted,or even was absent. The degree of destruction of the epithelial basement membrane in IPSBT group was less than that in SBT group. Conclusions: Extracelluar matrix of intestinal graft is the target of cold preservation/reperfusion injury, and ischemic preconditioning has a protective effect on this injury of the extracelluar matrix.