Microecology, intestinal epithelial barrier and necrotizing enterocolitis

Erythropoietin protects intestinal epithelial barrier function and lowers the incidence of experimental neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.

The impermeant nature of the intestinal barrier is maintained by tight junctions (TJs) formed between adjacent intestinal epithelial cells. Disruption of TJs and loss of barrier function are associated with a number of gastrointestinal diseases, including neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), the leading cause of death from gastrointestinal diseases in preterm infants. Human milk is protect...

Ischaemic enterocolitis Infarction of the intestinal tract Intestinal gangrene Haemorrhagic enterocolitis Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis Uraemic enterocolitis

A supply of oxygenated blood appropriate to the tissue needs of the gut is essential to the maintenance of its vital functions. The splanchnic vascular system serves this purpose and much of our knowledge of ischaemic bowel disease has developed from studies of radiological and pathological abnormalities of this system. The purpose of this paper is to summarize current information concerning th...

Spontaneous intestinal perforation or necrotizing enterocolitis?

Neonatal intestinal dysbiosis in necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most devastating gastrointestinal diseases in neonates, particularly among preterm infants in whom surgical NEC is the leading cause of morbidity. NEC pathophysiology occurs in the hyper-reactive milieu of the premature gut after bacterial colonization. The resultant activation of the TLR4 pathway appears to be a strongly contributing factor. Advanc...

Probiotic Lactobacillus Species Strengthen Intestinal Barrier Function and Tight Junction Integrity in Experimental Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious intestinal disease that occurs in newborn infants. It is associated with major morbidity and affects 5% of all infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units. Probiotics have variable efficacy in preventing necrotizing enterocolitis. Tight junctions (TJ) are protein complexes that maintain epithelial barrier integrity. We hypothesized that the pro...