GUT BACTERIAL TRANSLOCATION DURING TOTAL PARENTERAL-NUTRITION IN EXPERIMENTAL RATS AND ITS COUNTERMEASURE

BACKGROUND: The use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is commonly as sociated with mucosal lining of the intestinal tract, causing degenera tive changes within the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), These p henomena are probably caused by the translocation of indigenous intest inal bacteria into other organs and tissues where they induce infectio ns, METHODS: Using TPN model rats, this paper looks at the result of t he investigation of the action of PSK (proteoglycan), a biological res ponse modifier, which appears to suppress bacterial translocation and maintain local immunity activity, RESULTS: Culture of mesenteric lymph nodes obtained post-TPN demonstrate a bacterial rate as high as 60%, Immunohistochemical examination indicates a reduction in the number of plasma cells and a decrease in S-IgA production and secretion. A simi lar reduction in S-IgA within bile and portal venous blood was also co nfirmed. Continuous oral administration of PSK in a daily dose of 1,00 0 mg/kg had a protective effect against the degeneration of GALT, A st aining in immunocytes of Peyer's patches using immunohistochemical stu dy was performed after administration of PSK and revealed constant lev els of MHC-I, MHC-II, T helper cells, and interleukin-2 producing cell s, supporting the protective role of PSK against degeneration of GALT with a subsequent reduction in bacterial translocation. CONCLUSIONS: P roteoglycan can restore the impaired local immunity in the intestinal tract to normal levels and suppression of the bacterial translocation to provide an important function for patients receiving TPN treatment. (C) 1998 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.