Expression and significance of GLP-2R and PepT1 in infantile intestinal enterostomy

Abstract

Objective To explore the expression of GLP-2R and PepT1 to provide theoretical rationales for enteral nutrition for infants undergoing intestinal enterostomy during neonatal period. Methods The intestinal tissues were collected from October 1, 2013 to October 1, 2015. The infants were divided into 4 groups of intestinal enterostomy (A1, n=21), intestinal enterostomy control (A2, n=20), closing intestinal enterostomy (B1, n=18) and closing intestinal enterostomy control (B2, n=10). The underlying causes were analyzed and then height and middle diameter of villi measured for calculating the surface area of villi after hematoxylin & eosin staining. The expressions of GLP-2R and PepT1 in intestinal tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The differences of height of villi, surface area of villi and expressions of GLP-2R and PepT1 were compared among all groups. The variation of height of villi, surface area of villi and expressions of GLP-2R and PepT1 were explored in different ages and disease types. Results The average ages of groups A1 and A2 were (18.19±16.76) and (17.55±23.29) days. And the average ages of groups B1 and B2 were (107.67±53.65) and (105.30±35.17) days respectively. Necrotizing enterocolitis, meconium peritonitis and intestinal perforation were the major causes and intestinal inflammatory diseases accounted for 76.19%. Comparisons by different diseases at the same age: the differences between height and surface area of villi had no obvious statistical significance between groups A1 and A2. Or was between groups B1 and B2 (P>0.05). The height and surface area of villi increased with age (P<0.05). The differences of height and surface area of villi were statistically significant between groups A1 and B1. Or was between groups A2 and B2 (P<0.05). Villus height increased 29.27% and surface area increased 56.32% until closure of enterostomy. The expressions of GLP-2R and PepT1 in intestinal tissue of group A2 were significantly lower than those of group A1 (P=0.036, P=0.024). Upon closing intestinal enterostomy, the expressions of GLP-2R and PepT1 had no statistical significance between groups B1 and B2 (P=0.559, P=0.112). The expressions of GLP-2R and Pep T1 were higher in elder participants. And the differences were statistically significant between groups A1 and B1. And the same outcome was found between groups A2 and B2 (P<0.05). The expressions of GLP-2R and PepT1 increased 54.44% and 56.20% respectively. Conclusions The protein expressions of GLP-2R and PepT1 are slightly down-regulated in intestinal tissue during enterostomy. And they may reach the level of control group until closing intestinal enterostomy. The expressions of GLP-2R and PepT1 increase with age. Key words: Neonate; Intestinal enterostomy; Biological transport