BACTERIAL TRANSLOCATION AND T-LYMPHOCYTE POPULATIONS IN EXPERIMENTAL SHORT-BOWEL SYNDROME

Bacterial translocation (BT) accounts in part for sepsis in short-bowe l syndrome in which total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is routinely nece ssary. TPN ''per se'' facilitates BT and it has been suggested that de creased T-lymphocyte populations (TLP) in newborn rabbits and nude mic e promote BT as well. We have tested the hypothesis that BT and modifi cations in TLP are to be expected in rats subjected to TPN and gut res ection. Forty-five adult Wistar rats underwent central venous cannulat ions and were randomly assigned to one of three groups receiving for t en days three treatment regimes: - Group Sham (n = 17) oral intake of rat chow + saline (300 ml/kg/24h) through a jugular vein catheter. - G roup TPN (n = 17) fasting + infusion of all-in-one TPN solution (300 m l/kg/24h). - Group RES (n = 11) fasting, same TPN regime + 80% gut res ection. At the end of the experiment they were sacrified and specimens (peripheral and portal blood, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes) were recovered, cultured and/or assessed for CD4+ and CD8+. Bacterial tran slocation was found in 47% of TPN animals, 92% of RES rats, but not in SHAM ones. Lymphocyte populations were not different in BT+ (n = 8) o r BT- (n = 9) rats in the TPN group. TPN and resected animals showed a rise in CD4+ and a drop in CD8+ (then a better CD4+/CD8 ratio) when c omparing with SHAM group rats. From this data we may conclude that: 1) BT is frequent if TPN is administered, and constant in resected anima ls. 2) No apparent relationship between the proportions of CD4+ and CD 8+ lymphocytes and BT could be shown in TPN group. 3) High CD4+/CD8+ r atio in TPN and RES groups demonstrate that Bf is possible even having good TLP.