Effects of different nutrition patterns on tight junction proteins in rats with obstructive jaundice

Abstract

Objective To observe the effects of enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) on tight junction proteins in rats with obstructive jaundice (OJ). Methods Fivty Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. In PN group and EN group nutritional formulae were given with equal calorie and nitrogen. After 7 days, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to examine the distribution and expression of ZO-1, Occludin and myosin light chain lcinase (MLCK) in distal ileum mucosa. The Western blot images were analysed quantitatively. Results In normal group, the ZO-1 and Occludin exhibited a continuous and uniform distribution nearby the apical lateral membrane, and MLCK was distributed mainly in cytoplasm. In OJ group, their stainings were discontinuous and vague. Compared with OJ group, there was no significant difference in the amounts of strong positive expression of ZO-1, Occludin and MLCK in PN group (2 vs 4,2 vs 5, and 1 vs 3 respectively, all P > 0.05) , but the amounts of strong positive expression of ZO-1, Occludin and MLCK were rose to 7,6 and 5 in EN group (all P 0.05) as compared with OJ group. Conclusion Obstructive jaundice down-regulated the expression of ZO-1, Occludin and MLCK in rat ileum. Both EN and PN could recover impaired tight junction proteins. The effects were stronger in EN. Key words: Obstructive jaundice; Enteral nutrition; Parenteral nutrition; Tight junction proteins