The study of morphology of intestinal mucosa and bacterial translocation in the rat of cirrhosis

Objective To investigate the morphology of intestinal mucosa and bacterial translocation in the rat of cirrhosis.Methods The rat model of cirrhosis was made by administering 40% carbon tetrachloride.The mucosal structure was observed under light and electronic microscopes.The homogenates of the liver,spleen and mesenteric lymph node from two experimental groups were cultured separately on blood agar plates.The endotoxin was measured by limulus endotoxin analysis kit.Results The villus height and surface area in the cirrhotic group significantly decreased(P0.01),but the crypt depth had no difference between the cirrhotic group and the control group(P0.05).The microvillus of epithelial cell was short,and the tight junction was vague in cirrhotic group.The incidence rates of bacterial translocation to liver,spleen and mesenteric lymph node were 16.67%,16.67% and 41.67% respectively in cirrhotic group,but no bacterial translocation found in the control group.The level of endotoxin in the cirrhotic group was higher than that in the control group(P0.01).Conclusion The pathology and ultrastructure change in the cirrhotic group,and this induces the bacterial translocation and endotoxemia.