The impact of gallbladder surgery on immune function and gastrointestinal function of guinea pigs with gallstones model

Objective To study the effect of gallbladder surgery on immune function and gastrointestinal function of guinea pigs with gallstones model, and provide reference for individualized treatment of gallstones. Methods Thirty guinea pigs with gallstones model were randomly divided into gallbladder surgery group and cholecystectomy group, given gallbladder surgery and cholecystectomy respectively. Four weeks after surgery, the animals were killed. The immune function, small intestine and colon propulsion function, villus height, villus width, and mucosal thickness were compared between two groups. Results In the gallbladder surgery group, the cells of CD3+ T cells, CD40+ B cells, immunoglobulin IgA in the small intestine tissue were significantly more than those in the cholecystectomy group (9.85±1.02 vs. 7.56±0.84, 9.15±1.12 vs. 7.24±0.80, and 9.24±1.05 vs. 7.36±0.83; t=6.712, 5.375, 5.400, P=0.004, 0.011, 0.001). Small intestine and colon advancing speed in the gallbladder surgery group was significantly slower than in the cholecystectomy group [(36.12±4.25)% vs. (44.02±5.32)%, and (5.21±0.64)% vs. (7.54±0.78)%; t=4.494, 8.944, P=0.021, 0.013]. The jejunum and intestinal villus height, villus width, and mucosal thickness were significantly greater in the gallbladder surgery group than in the cholecystectomy group [(265.02±34.25) vs. (240.05±30.24), (72.05±8.54) vs. (62.25±7.36), (346.21±44.12) vs. (314.65±40.26), (236.12±32.52) vs. (210.36±23.02), (76.14±8.65) vs. (65.47±7.58) and (424.12±42.21) vs. (385.42±35.32) μm; t=2.117, 3.367, 2.046, 2.504, 3.593 and 2.723, P=0.015, 0.023, 0.020, 0.033, 0.026, 0.022]. Conclusion Gallbladder surgery helps to protect intestinal immune function of guinea pig with gallstones, reduce intestinal mucosal damage and promote intestinal absorption. Key words: Gallstones; Guinea pig; Gallbladder surgery; Cholecystectomy; Immune function; Mucous barrier function