Protective effects of vascular endothelial growth factor on intestinal epithelial apoptosis and bacterial translocation in experimental severe acute pancreatitis

Objectives: Bacterial translocation (BT) plays an important role in systemic complications in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). We recently demonstrated that accelerated apoptosis of intestinal mucosa might have a role in BT. Effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis and BT were investigated in SAP. Methods: Severe acute pancreatitis was induced by retrograde injection of sodium deoxycholate into the biliopancreatic duct in rats. Recombinant rat VEGF (2 mu g) was injected, and SAP was immediately induced. Eight hours after the induction, serum amylase/lipase levels and apoptosis of ileal mucosa were evaluated. After IS hours, the villous height of ileum was examined. After 22 hours, hematocrit, pancreatic water content, BT to the mesenteric lymph nodes, plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 levels, and microvessel density in the small intestine were investigated. Results: Amylase/lipase levels were significantly elevated in SAP, but VEGF did not affect them. Apoptosis of ileal mucosa was accelerated in SAP, and VEGF significantly reduced the apoptosis. Villous height was significantly decreased in SAP, and VEGF significantly improved it. Vascular endothelial growth factor did not affect the hematocrit or pancreatic water content. Bacterial translocation occurred in the SAP group, and VEGF significantly prevented that. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 levels were significantly elevated in SAP, and VEGF significantly improved the elevation. Microvessel counts were significantly reduced in SAP, and VEGF significantly increased them. Conclusion: These results suggest that VEGF inhibits intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis and subsequent BT in SAP.