Does Small Intestinal Atresia Affect Epithelial Protein Expression in Human Newborns?

• Published in: Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition Vol. 43; no. 5; pp. 576 - 583
• Main Authors: Schaart, Maaike W, Yamanouchi, Takeshi, Nispen, Danielle JPM, Raatgeep, Rolien HC, Goudoever, Johannes B, Krijger, Ronald R, Tibboel, Dick, Einerhand, Alexandra WC, Renes, Ingrid B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc 01-11-2006; Lippincott
• Subjects: Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Antiviral agents; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - metabolism; Epithelium; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Infant, Newborn; Intestinal Atresia - metabolism; Intestinal Atresia - pathology; Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism; Intestinal Mucosa - pathology; Intestine, Small - abnormalities; Intestine, Small - metabolism; Luminal components; Male; Medical sciences; Neonates; Other diseases. Semiology; Peptides - metabolism; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Protein expression; Small intestinal atresia; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Trefoil Factor-3; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Human; Enzyme; Small intestinal atresia-Epithelium- Luminal components-Neonates-Protein expression; Gut; Intestine occlusion; Metabolic diseases; Epithelium; Ileum; Protein; Jejunum; Newborn; Treatment; Glycosidases; Surgery; Amniotic fluid; Gastroenterology; Atresia; Digestive diseases; Hydrolases; Intestinal disease; Antiviral; O-Glycosidases; Lysozyme
• ISSN: 0277-2116; 1536-4801
• DOI: 10.1097/01.mpg.0000235755.22111.83

ABSTRACT
Objectives:
Bowel segments distal to a congenital intestinal obstruction have been suggested to be immature. In other words, luminal components such as amniotic fluid (before birth) and/or enteral nutrition (after birth) may be required to activate intestinal epithelial protein expression, thereby influencing epithelial differentiation. We investigated cell‐type–specific protein expression proximal and distal to jejunal and ileal atresias in human newborns.
Patients and Methods:
We immunohistochemically studied intestinal tissue specimens of 16 newborns who had undergone surgery for jejunal or ileal atresia. Sections were taken from both the proximal and distal sides of the atresias.
Results:
For all patients, the enterocyte‐specific markers lactase, sucrase‐isomaltase, sodium glucose cotransporter 1, glucose transporters 2 and 5, intestinal fatty acid–binding protein and alkaline phosphatase were expressed at a mean 3 ± 1 days after birth, both proximal and distal to jejunal and ileal atresias. Expression of goblet cell–specific markers mucin 2 and trefoil factor 3 and that of the Paneth cell marker lysozyme was maintained at either side of the atretic segment.
Conclusions:
With respect to the markers used, the human small intestinal epithelium is already differentiated shortly after birth. The absence of intestinal continuity in case of a jejunal or ileal atresia does not affect epithelial protein expression. This would seem to indicate that the developing small intestinal epithelium matures independently of luminal components.