Experimental study on intestinal bacterial translocation in rat with obstructive jaundice and therapeutic effects of arginine

Objective To observe the conditions of intestinal bacterial translocation in rat with obstructive jaundice (OJ) and investigate the effects of arginine on bacterial translocation. Methods The lower choledochus was ligated to establish the model of OJ in rats. All the rats were randomized into the sham-operated group, OJ group and arginine group. On postoperative day 21, the changes in levels of plasma endotoxin, TNF-α, IL-6, total bilirubin and GPT were determined and compared. Bacterial culture of mesenteric lymph nodes, pancreas, and lungs were measured with aseptic manipulation. The extreme intestinal lumen mucosa was examined pathologically. Results The levels of plasma endotoxin, TNF-α, IL-6, total bilirubin and GPT were significantly higher in the OJ group than in the sham-operated group. In the OJ group, the positive rate of bacterial culture of mesenteric lymph nodes, pancreas and lungs increased. The pathological damage of intestinal mucosa was severe. The levels of plasma endotoxin, TNF-α, IL-6, total bilirubin and GPT were markedly lower in the arginine group than in the OJ group. In the arginine group, the positive rate of bacterial culture of the mesenteric lymph nodes, pancreas and lungs dramatically decreased, and the intestinal mucosa injury was remarkably improved. Conclusions Endotoxemia following OJ might be associated with intestinal bacterial translocation. Arginine is able to alleviate bacterial translocation from intestinal lumen and reduce the levels of plasma endotoxin and cytokines.