• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.303-307
• /
• 2006

The effects of starvation on histological changes in hepatocytes and the intestinal epithelium in the olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus were examined. The starved group was not fed for 12 weeks, whereas the fed group was given food. Food deprivation resulted in a significant decrease in hepatocyte nucleus size and nuclear height in the intestinal epithelium (P<0.05). In the starved group, pronounced degenerative changes were seen in the histology of hepatocytes and the intestinal epithelium; the tissue morphology was irregular and the nuclei were stained basophillic, shrunk irregularly, and very compact. These results suggest that histological changes in hepatocytes and the intestinal epithelium can be used as an indicator of starvation in the olive flounder. In addition, the data are interpreted in detail and some biologically important relationships are discussed.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.163-170
• /
• 2020

Background: Gut microflora contributes to the nutritional metabolism of the host and to strengthen its immune system. However, if the intestinal barrier function of the living body is destroyed by radiation exposure, the intestinal bacteria harm the health of the host and cause sepsis. Therefore, this study aims to trace short-term radiation-induced changes in the mouse gut microflora-dominant bacterial genus, and analyze the degree of intestinal epithelial damage. Materials and Methods: Mice were irradiated with 0, 2, 4, 8 Gy X-rays, and the gut microflora and intestinal epithelial changes were analyzed 72 hours later. Five representative genera of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were analyzed in fecal samples, and the intestine was pathologically analyzed by Hematoxylin-Eosin and Alcian blue staining. In addition, DNA fragmentation was evaluated by the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Results and Discussion: The small intestine showed shortened villi and reduced number of goblet cells upon 8 Gy irradiation. The large intestine epithelium showed no significant morphological changes, but the number of goblet cells were reduced in a radiation dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the small intestinal epithelium of 8 Gy-irradiated mice showed significant DNA damaged, whereas the large intestine epithelium was damaged in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, the large intestine epithelium showed less recovery potential upon radiation exposure than the small intestinal epithelium. Analysis of the intestinal flora revealed fluctuations in lactic acid bacteria excretion after irradiation regardless of the morphological changes of intestinal epithelium. Altogether, it became clear that radiation exposure could cause an immediate change of their excretion. Conclusion: This study revealed changes in the intestinal epithelium and intestinal microbiota that may pave the way for the identification of novel biomarkers of radiation-induced gastrointestinal disorders and develop new therapeutic strategies to treat patients with acute radiation syndrome.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.2-11
• /
• 2024

Background: The small intestine plays a crucial role in animals in maintaining homeostasis as well as a series of physiological events such as nutrient uptake and immune function to improve productivity. Research on intestinal organoids has recently garnered interest, aiming to study various functions of the intestinal epithelium as a potential alternative to an in vivo system. These technologies have created new possibilities and opportunities for substituting animals for testing with an in vitro model. Methods: Here, we report the establishment and characterisation of intestinal organoids derived from jejunum tissues of adult pigs. Intestinal crypts, including intestinal stem cells from the jejunum tissue of adult pigs (10 months old), were sequentially isolated and cultivated over several passages without losing their proliferation and differentiation using the scaffold-based and three-dimensional method, which indicated the recapitulating capacity. Results: Porcine jejunum-derived intestinal organoids showed the specific expression of several genes related to intestinal stem cells and the epithelium. Furthermore, they showed high permeability when exposed to FITC-dextran 4 kDa, representing a barrier function similar to that of in vivo tissues. Collectively, these results demonstrate the efficient cultivation and characteristics of porcine jejunum-derived intestinal organoids. Conclusions: In this study, using a 3D culture system, we successfully established porcine jejunum-derived intestinal organoids. They show potential for various applications, such as for nutrient absorption as an in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium fused with organ-on-a-chip technology to improve productivity in animal biotechnology in future studies.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.375-383
• /
• 2021

The intestinal barrier function disrupted in sepsis, while little is known about the variation in different phases of sepsis. In this study, mouse models of sepsis were established by caecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The H&E staining of sections and serum diamine oxidase concentration were evaluated at different timepoint after CLP. TUNEL assay and EdU staining were performed to evaluate the apoptosis and proliferation of intestinal epithelium. Relative protein expression was assessed by Western blotting and serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines was measured by ELISA. The disruption of intestinal barrier worsened in the first 24 h after the onset of sepsis and gradually recovered over the next 24 h. The percentage of apoptotic cell increased in the first 24 h and dropped at 48 h, accompanied with the proliferative rate of intestinal epithelium inhibited in the first 6 h and regained in the later period. Furthermore, the activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) presented similar trend with the intestinal barrier function, shared positive correction with apoptosis of intestinal epithelium. These findings reveal the conversion process of intestinal barrier function in sepsis and this process is closely correlated with the activity of NF-κB signaling.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.57-66
• /
• 2016

The gut epithelial barrier, which is composed of the mucosal layer and the intestinal epithelium, has multiple defense mechanisms and interconnected regulatory mechanisms against enteric microbial pathogens. However, many bacterial pathogens have highly evolved infectious stratagems that manipulate mucin production, epithelial cell-cell junctions, cell death, and cell turnover to promote their replication and pathogenicity in the gut epithelial barrier. In this review, we focus on current knowledge about how bacterial pathogens regulate mucin levels to circumvent the epithelial mucus barrier and target cell-cell junctions to invade deeper tissues and increase their colonization. We also describe how bacterial pathogens manipulate various modes of epithelial cell death to facilitate bacterial dissemination and virulence effects. Finally, we discuss recent investigating how bacterial pathogens regulate epithelial cell turnover and intestinal stem cell populations to modulate intestinal epithelium homeostasis.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.167-176
• /
• 1974

The authors have studied the distribution of alkaline phosphatase in the pharynx, esophagus, stomach (or intestinal bulb), anterior and posterior portions of intestine of three kinds of fishes. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Alkaline phosphatase activity of basal cells in the pharyngeal epithelium of loach and snakehead fish showed moderately positive reaction, and basal cells in the esophagel epithelium of loach and eel showed also moderately positive reaction. 2. Goblet cells of pharynx, esophagus, intestinal bulb and intestinal mucosa, and gastric glandular cells of the above fishes showed negative reaction for alkaline phosphatase. 3. Strongly positive reaction for alkaline phosphatase was observed at both intestinal bulb and the free border of intestinal epithelium, but weak positive reaction at the free border of posterior portion of loach intestine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.200-210
• /
• 2002

Objectives: Dojeckjiyu-tang has been used to treat Hwaseol & Jeokri. The object of this study is examination of the treatment effect of Dojeckjiyu-tang for ulcerative colitis of the mouse descending colon. Methods and Materials : Twenty-one rats were divided into 3 groups and treated as follows: the control group was untreated mice. The UCE group was ulcerative colitis elicited mice. The DJT group was Dojeckjiyu-tang treated mice after ulcerative colitis elicitation. The groups were examined with common morphology, paneth cells in intestinal crypt, absorptive cells and goblet cells in epithelium, cell division in mucose, COX-1 as mucosal protector, COX-2 (which appears to play an important role in inflammation), IL-2R-, ICMA-1-inducing cellular immuno-chainreaction, and the distribution of apoptotic cells. Results: 1. The morphology of colonic mucosa from UCE mice: the disappearance of epithelium and intestinal propria in hemorrhagic erosions were seen, but in the morphology of colonic mucosa from DJT-treated mice, the configuration of epithelium and intestinal propria were the same as normal. 2. The distribution of goblet cells and absorptive cells with microvilli in intestinal propria from UCE mice: a noticeable decrease of goblet cells and absorptive cells with microvilli were seen, but with the distribution of goblet cells and absorptive cells with microvilli in intestinal propria from DJT -treated mice, the configuration of goblet cells and absorptive cells with microvilli were the same as normal. 3. The immunohistochemical stain for BrdD in colonic mucosa and COX-1 in lamina propria from UCE mice: BrdU positive cells and COX-1 positive cells in the region of hemorrhagic erosion disappeared, but in the immunohistochemical stain for BrdU in colonic mucosa and COX-1 in lamina propria from DIT-treated mice, BrdU positive cells and COX-1 positive cells were seen. 4. The immunohistochemical stain for COX-2 in lamina propria, IL-2R-in lamina propria, intestinal propria and submucosa and ICMA-1 in intestinal propria and submucosa from DCE mice: a noticeable increase COX-2, IL-2R-, ICMA-1 positive cells were seen, but in the immunohistochemical stain for COX-2 in lamina propria, IL-2R-in lamina propria, intestinal propria and submucosa and ICMA-1 in intestinal propria and submucosa from DJT-treated mice, a numerical decrease of COX-2, IL-2R-, ICMA-1 positive cells was observed. 5. The distribution of apoptotic cells in epithelium and lamina propria from UCE mice: a noticeable increase of apoptotic cells in region of hemorrhagic erosion was seen, but in the distribution of apoptotic cells in epithelium and lamina propria from DJT-treated mice, a remarkable decrease of apoptotic cells was seen. Conclusions: According to the above results, Dojeckjiyu-tang has a moderate effect on ulcerative colitis in descending colon.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.64 no.5
• /
• pp.842-853
• /
• 2022

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a well-known mycotoxin that causes disease through the ingestion of contaminated food or feed, for example, in the porcine industry. The intestinal epithelium acts as the first barrier against food contamination. We conducted a study on the exposure of the porcine intestinal epithelium to OTA. We used the intestinal porcine epithelial cell line IPEC-J2 as an in vitro model to evaluate the altered molecular mechanisms following OTA exposure. Gene expression profiling revealed that OTA upregulated 782 genes and downregulated 896, totalling 1678 differentially expressed genes. Furthermore, immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting confirmed that OTA damages the tight junction protein ZO-1. Moreover, OTA activated the expression of inflammatory genes (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, NF-kB, TLR4, and TNF-α). In summary, this study confirmed that OTA alters various molecular mechanisms and has several adverse effects on IPEC-J2 cells.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.805-813
• /
• 1994

Immunohistochemical study on the intestinal tissues obtained from the 21 pigs of the 14 terms in Korea in which the clinical and epidemiological features had indicated the possible outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhea(PED) was performed using the indirect immunofluorescence test and/or the immunoperoxidase method in order to detect PED viral antigens in the infected cells of the intestines, and histopathological features were described as well. By immunohistochemical analysis, PED viral antigens were detected in the epithelial cells covering the small intestinal villi and recognized slightly in the cells lining the colonic surface epithelium as well. Occasional fluorescence was also seen in a few intestinal crypt epithelium. On light microscopy, the piglets with PED showed marked villous atrophy and fusion, and severe enterocyte degeneration and desquamation. On the other hand, the older pigs more than 4 week old age was mild villous atrophy and fusion, severe villous epithelial cell proliferation, and moderate mononuclear cell infiltration.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.375-379
• /
• 2000

The appearance of some gastrointestinal endocrine cells in the Meckel's diverticulum (MD) of the bean goose, Anser fabalis Latham was observed using specific antisera against serotonin, gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK)-8, glucagon, secretin, somatostatin and human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP) with the peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP) method. Among these specific antisera, serotonin-, gastrin-, CCK-8-, somatostatin- and HPP-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated in this study. Serotonin-, gastrin- and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were detected at moderate frequency and CCK-8- and HPP-immunoreactive cells was rare and low frequencies, respectively. These immunoreactive cells were located in the superficial epithelium, intestinal crvpt and intestinal glands with spherical or spindle shaped cells having long cytoplasmic processes (open typed-cell). Mucosal layer of MD was composed of simple columnar epithelium and numerous intestinal glands. In addition, numerous lymphatic tissues were also demonstrated. In conclusion, histological profiles of MD were similar to any parts of the large intestine, especially the cecum, but the appearance, distribution and relative frequency of gastrointestinal endocrine cells were similar to those of upper parts of the small intestine. Although the exact digestive functions were unknown, the finding that the appearance, distribution and relative frequency of gastrointestinal endocrine cells in MD is similar to small intestine may be considered as distinct evidence that this organ may have some digestive functions.