CD44 mRNA expression in intestinal mucosa of rats after acute necrotizing pancre atitis with reference to growth hormone treatment

Objective To observe the expression of C D44 mRNA and investigate its relation with T lymphocytes (CD3/CD4/CD8) and histo logical changes in the rat intestinal mucosa during acute necrotizing pancreatit is (ANP) and the influence of growth hormone (GH) treatment. Methods Fifty-four r ats were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation (SO) group, ANP group, ANP+GH group (GH: 0.7 5 U/kg). ANP model was made by injection of 5 % sodium taurocholate into biliopa ncreatic duct in rats. These rats were sacrificed at 6, 12, 24 h and intestinal mucosa were harvested for the determination of CD44mRNA expression by using RT -PCR and CD3/CD4/CD8 cells counting by immunohistochemistry technique. Patholog ical changes of rat intestinal mucosa were also observed. Results The expression o f CD44 mRNA in intestinal mucosa of ANP group was decreased as compared with tha t in SO group (P0.05). GH treatment markedly upregulated CD44 mRNA expressi on. CD3/CD4/CD8 cells in ANP group were also decreased almost at all time points when compared with SO group (P0.05). There was no significant difference i n CD3/CD4/CD8 cells between GH-treatment group and SO group (P0.05). The i ntestinal mucosa were severely damaged in ANP group but preserved well in GH-tr eatment group. Conclusion The expression of CD44mRNA in intestinal m ucosa was decreased during ANP. The mechanisms by which GH protected intestinal barrier might include strengthening cell immune function and cell-extracellular matrix binding by upregulating CD44mRNA expression.