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Prehepatic portal hypertension produces increased mast cell density in the small bowel and in mesenteric lymph nodes in the rat
Author(s) -
PRIETO ISABEL,
ALLER MARÍAANGELES,
SANTAMARÍA LUIS,
NAVA MARÍAPAZ,
MADERO ROSARIO,
PÉREZROBLEDO JUANPEDRO,
ARIAS JAIME
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2005.03831.x
Subject(s) - medicine , mast cell , ileum , portal hypertension , jejunum , duodenum , superior mesenteric vein , mesenteric lymph nodes , splanchnic , pathology , gastroenterology , lymph node , infiltration (hvac) , mesenteric vein , lymph , enteropathy , portal vein , spleen , immunology , hemodynamics , disease , thermodynamics , cirrhosis , physics
Background: Because most of the characteristics of the portal hypertensive enteropathy can be explained on the basis of increased levels of mast cell mediators, the purpose of the present paper was to study mast cell splanchnic infiltration. Methods: Duodenum, jejunum, ileum and mesenteric lymph node complex infiltration by mast cells was assayed by a stereological technique in control rats (group I; n = 5) and in an experimental model of portal hypertension (the portal vein‐stenosed rat, group II; n = 5) at 6 weeks after operation. Results: Intestinal and mesenteric lymph node complex infiltration by mast cells increased in the animals with partial portal vein ligation. The mast cell density progressively increased distally along the small bowel. The mast cell increase in the mesenteric lymph node complex in portal vein‐stenosed rats was greater than in the duodenum ( P = 0.001), jejunum ( P = 0.006) and ileum. Conclusion: The rise of mast cells density in the small bowel and mesenteric lymph node complex in rats with partial portal vein ligation suggests that these cells are involved in the etiopathogenesis of experimental portal prehepatic hypertensive enteropathy.