The gastrointestinal mucus gel layer and blood flow are two important mechanisms for protection at the pre-epithelial and sub-epithelial levels, respectively. Helicobacter pylori might circumvent these mechanisms and elicit a chronic inflammatory response with consequent ulcers in the stomach and duodenum. In this thesis, the physical state and properties of the adherent mucus gel layer was studied from the stomach to colon. Furthermore, the acute and chronic effects of H. pylori on the integrity of the mucus gel layer and mucosal blood flow were studied in the anesthetized rat. A translucent mucus gel covers all studied segments of the gastrointestinal tract during fasting conditions, with the thickest layers in the colon and ileum. Carefully applied suction revealed that the mucus gel was a multi-layered structure comprising a firmly adherent layer covering the mucosa, impossible to remove, and a loosely adherent upper layer. The firmly adherent layer was thick and continuous in the corpus (80μm), antrum (154μm) and colon (116μm), but thin (<20μm) and discontinuous in the small intestine. Following mucus removal, a rapid renewal of the loosely adherent layer ensued. The highest rate was observed in the colon with intermediate values in the small intestine. Mucus renewal in the stomach was attenuated on acute luminal application of water extracts from H. pylori (HPE). In animals with a chronic H. pylori infection the mucus renewal rate was unaffected, but the total gastric mucus gel thickness was reduced and the mucus secretory response to luminal acid (pH1) attenuated in the antrum. HPE from type I strains acutely reduced corporal mucosal blood flow, measured with laser-Doppler flowmetry, by approximately 15%. The reduction in blood flow was mediated by a heat stable factor other than VacA and CagA. Inhibition of endogenous nitric oxide production with Nω-nitro-l-arginine augmented the decrease. However, ketotifen, a mast cell stabilizer, completely attenuated the effect of the extract as did the platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor-antagonist, WEB2086, thus depicting a detrimental role for the microvascular actions of PAF.

The stomach is frequently exposed to hazardous agents and to resist this harsh environment, several protective mechanisms exist. Of special interest is the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori which causes gastritis, ulcers and cancer but the mechanism leading to these diseases are still unclear. However it is very likely that H. pylori negatively influence the protection mechanisms that exist in the stomach. The aims of the present investigation were first to develop an in vivo mouse model in which different protection mechanisms could be studied, and second to investigate the influence of H. pylori on these mechanisms. An in vivo preparation of the gastric mucosa in mice was developed. This preparation allows studies of different gastric mucosal variables and can also be applied for studies in other gastro-intestinal organs. Mice chronically infected with H. pylori, were shown to have a reduced ability of the mucosa to maintain a neutral pH at the epithelial cell surface. This could be due to the thinner inner, firmly adherent mucus gel layer, and/or to defective bicarbonate transport across the epithelium. The Cl-/HCO3- exchanger SLC26A9 was inhibited by NH4+, which also is produced by H. pylori. The mRNA levels of SLC26A9 were upregulated in infected mice, suggesting a way to overcome the inhibition of the transporter. Furthermore, the hyperemic response to acid pH 2 and 1.5 was abolished in these mice. The mechanisms by which the bacteria could alter the blood flow response might involve inhibition of the epithelial iNOS. Water extracts of H. pylori (HPE) reduces the blood flow acutely through an iNOS and nerve-mediated pathway, possibly through the endogenous iNOS inhibitor ADMA. Furthermore, HPE alters the blood flow response to acid as the hyperemic response to acid pH 0.8 is accentuated in mice treated with HPE.

Background and aims: Lung recruitment maneuvers (brief episodes of high airway pressure) are a modern treatment alternative to achieve open lung conditions under mechanical ventilation of patients with acute lung injury. It is well known that positive pressure ventilation with high airway pressures cause negative circulatory effects, and that the effects on regional vascular beds can be even more pronounced than the systemic effects. Hypoperfusion of the mesenteric vascular bed can lead to tissue ischemia and local inflammation. This intestinal inflammation has been associated with subsequent development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, a syndrome that still carries a high mortality and is a leading cause of death for intensive care patients. The aim of this thesis was therefore to investigate whether lung recruitment maneuvers would cause negative effects on mesenteric circulation, oxygenation or metabolism. Methods and results: In an initial study on ten patients with acute lung injury, we could demonstrate a trend towards a decreased gastric mucosal perfusion during three repeated lung recruitment maneuvers. To more closely examine this finding, we set up an oleic acid lung injury model in pigs, and in our second study we established that this model was devoid of inherent intestinal effects and was adequate for subsequent studies of intestinal effects of lung recrutiment maneuvers. In the acute lung injury model, we also tested the effect of an infusion of a vasodilating agent concurrent with the recruitment maneuvers, the hypothesis being that a vasodilating agent would prevent intestinal vasoconstriction and hypoperfusion. We could show that three repeated lung recruitment maneuvers induced short term negative effects on mesenteric oxygenation and metabolism, but that these findings were transient and short lasting. Further, the effects of prostacyclin were minor and opposing. These findings of relative little impact on the intestines of lung recruitment maneuvers, lead us to investigate the hypothesis that repeated recruitment maneuvers maybe could elicite a protective intestinal preconditioning response, a phenomenon previously described both in the rat and in the dog. However, in our fourth study, using both classical ischemic preconditioning with brief periods of intestinal ischemia or repeated lung recrutiment maneuvers, we could not demonstrate the phenomenon of intestinal preconditioning in the pig. Conclusions: We conclude, that from a mesenteric point of view, lung recruitment maneuvers are safe, and only induce transient and short lasting negative effects. We also conclude that the cause of the minor effects of lung recruitment maneuvers is not dependent on intestinal preconditioning.

Le syndrome d’apnées obstructives du sommeil (SAOS) est associé à la survenue de neuropathies optiques, en particulier la neuropathie optique ischémique antérieure aigue non artéritique (NOIAA-NA). Parmi les mécanismes d’apparition de cette neuropathie et potentiellement associés au SAOS, la dysrégulation et l’inflammation vasculaires pourraient jouer un rôle. Il n’existe aucune donnée dans la littérature sur l’effet de l’hypoxie intermittente (HI) chronique sur la fonction vasculaire de l’œil.Le but de ce travail était de développer des techniques d’évaluation de la fonction vasculaire oculaire chez le rat et de les appliquer à l’étude des conséquences vasculaires oculaires de l’HI. Ainsi, deux approches complémentaires ont été développées : 1) un prototype de fluxmètre laser Doppler (LDF) adapté au rongeur pour l’évaluation in vivo de la perfusion sanguine rétinienne et de la tête du nerf optique (TNO) et 2) le modèle d’étude de l’artère ophtalmique (AO) du rat par myographie vasculaire, in vitro.La mise au point du LDF chez le rat sain a permis de valider la pertinence du signal provenant des artères rétiniennes. A l’inverse, nos données invalident l’intérêt de la mesure au niveau de la TNO. En réponse à l’inhalation d’oxygène pur, nous observons une diminution de 17,0 ± 13,7 % de la vélocité artérielle rétinienne (VelART). Nous n’observons pas de variation significative de VelART lors d’injection intra-carotidienne d’endothéline 1 (ET-1) malgré une forte vasoconstriction des vaisseaux rétiniens. Les perspectives consistent à associer une caméra de haute résolution à un système bidirectionnel de LDF. L’étude de la réactivité de l’AO par myographie chez le rat soumis à 14 jours d’HI a mis en évidence une augmentation de la contraction à l’ET-1, associée à une augmentation de la réponse médiée par les récepteurs de type A (ETRA)et à une surexpression des ETRA au sein de l’AO. La relaxation NO-dépendante était diminuée chez le rat HI, et associée à un effet prédominant des produits vasoconstricteurs du cytochrome P450. Ces réponses étaient associées à une augmentation de la présence d’anions superoxyde dans la paroi de l’AO. Des études complémentaires sont nécessaires pour explorer les mécanismes à l’origine des ces altérations vasculaires, en particulier le rôle du stress oxydant. / Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has recently been associated with the occurrence of optic neuropathies, especially acute non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Among the mechanisms of NAION onset potentially associated with OSA, vascular dysregulation and inflammation may play a role. There is still no data on the effect of chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH) on vascular function of the eye. The purpose of this work was to develop techniques for assessing rat ocular vascular function and apply them to the study of the ocular vascular consequences of IH. Thus, two complementary models have been developed: 1) a laser Doppler flowmeter (LDF) prototype adapted for rodents, to evaluate in vivo retinal and optic nerve head (ONH) blood perfusion and 2) in vitro model of rat ophthalmic artery (OA) study by myography. Preliminary work on healthy rat enabled us to validate the relevance of retinal arteries LDF signal, but not that of the ONH. Retinal blood velocity (VelART) dropped by 17.0 ± 13.7% in response to pure oxygen inhalation. We did not observe any significant change in VelART signal after intracarotidian endothelin 1 (ET -1) injection, despite strong vasoconstriction of retinal vessels. OA reactivity study by myography in rats exposed to a 14-day IH showed increased contraction to ET-1, associated with an increased endothelin receptor A-mediated (ETRA) response and ETRA overexpression within the AO. NO-dependent relaxation is reduced in IH rats, and associated with a shift towards vasoconstrictive effects of cytochrome P450 products. These responses were associated with an increase in superoxide anions in the OA wall. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of these vascular changes, particularly the role of oxidative stress. Understanding of the LDF signal is partial and should be further explored to permit application to the study of IH rat.

The vasomotor axon reflex can be evoked in peripheral epidermal nociceptive C-fibers to induce local vasodilation. This neurogenic flare response is a measure of C-fiber functional integrity and therefore shows impairment in patients with small fiber neuropathy. Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and laser Doppler imaging (LDI) are both techniques to analyze vasomotor small fiber function by quantifying the integrity of the vasomotor-mediated axon reflex. While LDF assesses the flare response following acetylcholine iontophoresis with temporal resolution at a single defined skin point, LDI records flare responses with spatial and temporal resolution, generating a two-dimensional map of superficial blood flow. LDF is characterized by a high intra- and interindividual measurement variability, which is smaller in LDI due to its spatial resolution. Nevertheless, LDI still lacks standardized methods for image analysis. Consequently, use of the technique currently remains on an experimental level. Here, we sought to review the current literature on laser Doppler assessment of vasomotor function and discuss potential future applications of established techniques as well as those that are still experimental.

No description available.

Die Störung der intestinalen Mikrozirkulation gilt als ein kardinaler Mechanismus für die Entwicklung des Multiorganversagens bei Sepsis. Da das Intestinum für mikrozirkulatorische Studien klinisch kaum zugänglich ist, wurden die Auswirkungen einer Therapie mit den antioxidativen Substanzen Oxypurinol und U-74389G (Lazaroid) bzw. den vasoaktiven Substanzen Iloprost (Prostacyclin-Analogon) und Dopexamin auf die intestinale Mikrozirkulation und die systemische Mediatorfreisetzung in einem Tiermodell mit moderater und hoher Endotoxin-Belastung untersucht. Die intravitalmikroskopische Untersuchung der Kapillarperfusion in der Muskularisschicht bei Endotoxinämie erbrachte eine Verbesserung durch Oxypurinol- und Dopexamingabe. Die Perfusion der Mukosa konnte vor allem durch eine Iloprostapplikation gesteigert werden. Die Endotoxin-induzierte, intestinale Leukozytenadhärenz wurde insbesondere durch die Behandlung mit den antioxidativen Substanzen vermindert. Beide therapeutischen Optionen bewirkten eine ca. 60 %ige Reduktion der initialen Tumornekrosefaktor-alpha-Freisetzung in der Versuchsreihe mit der niedrigeren Endotoxin-Dosis. Parallel dazu konnte anhand von Malondialdehyd-Analysen gezeigt werden, dass Oxypurinol und U-74389G wirksam die intestinale, Radikal-induzierte Lipidperoxidation verringerten. Der intestinale mikrovaskuläre Blutfluss konnte durch beide vasoaktiven Substanzen - sowohl bei moderater als auch bei erhöhter Endotoxin-Dosierung - signifikant gesteigert werden. Die Ergebnisse beider Teilstudien bestätigten, dass sowohl reaktive Sauerstoffspezies als auch eine inadäquate Perfusion in der Mikrozirkulation wesentliche pathogenetische Faktoren bei Endotoxinämie bzw. Sepsis darstellen und entsprechende Therapieformen indiziert und effektiv sind. Eine kombinierte Gabe beider Substanzklassen erscheint daher sinnvoll und sollte in weiteren tierexperimentellen und klinischen Studien evaluiert werden. / The disturbance of the intestinal microcirculation is regarded as a pivotal mechanism in the development of multiorgan failure related to sepsis. Since the intestine is clinically not accessible for microcirculatory studies, the effects of a therapy with the antioxidants oxypurinol and U-74389G (lazaroid) as well as the vasoactive substances iloprost (a prostacyclin analogue) and dopexamine on the intestinal microcirculation and the systemic mediator release was studied in an animal model with moderate and high endotoxin challenge. The intravital microscopic examination of the capillary perfusion in the muscularis layer of the intestine during endotoxemia revealed an improvement by administration of oxypurinol and dopexamine. The perfusion of the mucosa could be increased by iloprost administration. The amount of the endotoxin induced, intestinal leukocyte adherence was especially decreased by the treatment with the antioxidants. Both therapeutic options caused a 60 % reduction in the initial tumor necrosis factor-alpha-release in the experiments with the lower endotoxin dose. Malondialdehyde analyses showed that oxypurinol and U-74389G reduced effectively the intestinal, radical-induced lipid peroxidation. The intestinal microvascular blood flow could be significantly increased by both vasoactive substances - as well as with moderately than also with elevated endotoxin-dosage. The results of the study confirmed that both reactive oxygen-species as well as an inadequate perfusion in the microcirculation represent essential pathogenetic factors during endotoxemia as well as sepsis and index corresponding therapy-forms and participates effective. A combined offering both substance-classes appears therefore meaningfully and should be evaluated in further experimental and clinical studies.

Inflammatory bowel diseases, (IBD), are a group of chronic disorders of the gastro-intestinal tract, and include Crohn’s disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). The pathogenesis is not known, but involves at least in part a loss of tolerance towards the commensal colonic microbiota. In this thesis, we show in animal models of CD and UC that the colonic mucosal blood flow increased compared to healthy animals. This blood flow increase is due to an up regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Further, we show in the UC model that the thickness of the firmly adherent colonic mucus layer increased compared to healthy animals. This increase is due to an up regulation of inducible NOS in the epithelium. Both the blood flow and mucus thickness increase appear to be protective mechanisms.  We demonstrate that the firmly adherent colonic mucus layer acts as a partial barrier towards luminal bacteria. In the UC model, this barrier is destroyed, causing increased bacterial translocation. The adhesion molecule P-selectin was up regulated in the UC model, leading to increased interactions between leukocytes and the endothelium, but also increased interactions between platelets and the endothelium. This indicates that not only leukocytes, but also platelets are involved in colonic inflammation. The addition of the probiotic bacterial strain Lactobacillus reuteri prevented disease by normalizing P-selectin levels and endothelial interactions with leukocytes and platelets. Lactobacillus reuteri also decreased bacterial translocation over the epithelium. In summary, this thesis highlights the importance of colonic barrier functions, and investigates the role of the microbiota in experimental IBD.