Intestinal bacteria and permeability during experimental acute pancreatitis in rats

In English Background: An increase in intestinal permeability and subsequent bacterial translocation has been demonstrated in
critical illness. Cellulose derivatives have in the past been shown to reduce gut leakage following liver resection.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes
in microbial counts in experimental acute pancreatitis and
the effect of pre-treatment with cellulose derivatives and
N-acetyl cysteine.

Subjects: 92 male Sprague Dawley rats.
Methods: Acute pancreatitis was induced by intraductal taurodeoxycholic acid infusion. Animals received oral pretreatment and were randomized to either sham operation
or the pancreatitis groups, with or without pre-treatment
with cellulose derivatives, the antioxidant or their combinations. Intestinal bacterial populations and permeability were evaluated using bacterial counts and Ussing chamber, respectively.

Results: The number of E. coli increased in the luminal content and ileal and colonic mucosa, but levels were restored to almost those seen in controls in all pre-treatment groups except for N-acetyl cysteine. When intestinal permeability was measured, none of the treatment groups showed significant differences compared to challenge, except for Nacetyl cysteine, which significantly increased permeability.

Conclusion: Pre-treatment with cellulose derivatives was
more efficient against disturbances in intestinal permeability and microbial populations than the antioxidant Nacetyl cysteine.