Influences of dietary fiber enteral nutrition on the barrier function of the gut in rats with severe acute pancreatitis

Objective To evaluate the influence of early dietary fiber(DF) enteral nutrition(EN) on the intestinal barrier function and bacterial translocation in severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) in rats.Methods 32 SD rats were randomized into four groups with eight animals in each group: SAP group,enteral nutrition(EN) group,dietary fiber nutrition(FEN) group and control group(sham).SAP was induced by retrograde injection with 3.5% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct;and the catheter was introduced into the jejunum via a gastrostomy in all rats.Drinking glucose saline freely was initiated 36 hours later in SAP group and control group;the nutrient was initiated 36 hours later in EN group and FEN group by fractional injection into the jejunum;and the rats were sacrificed in 5 days,tissue and blood samples were collected for further study.Criteria indicating the outcome were: bacterial translocation rate(culture of the samples of blood,mesenteric lymph node,pancreas and liver),histological score of the pancreas,the intestinal morphology and the plasma level of D-lactate.The numbers of CD4+ and CD4+ lymphocyte in the intestinal lamina propria were analyzed.The CD4+/CD8+ ratio was calculated.Results There was serious damage in intestinal tissue of SAP group with colon mucosa atrophy and gland rarefaction.FEN group was superior to EN group in the colon morphology.The plasma level of D-lactate was significantly lower in FEN group than that in EN group.There was no difference in the histological score of the pancreas,the numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio.Conclusion The common enteral nutrition contained dietary fiber in safeguarding gut immune barrier function,and in preventing bacterial translocation is superior to the enteral nutrition alone in SAP.The dietary fiber cannot improve local immune function of small intestine.