M Garrett

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

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Publications (4)11.64 Total impact

  • Article: Immunoglobulin A supplementation abrogates bacterial translocation and preserves the architecture of the intestinal epithelium.
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    ABSTRACT: Breast milk has been shown to prevent gut-origin infections in neonates through undefined mechanisms. Putative protective factors in breast milk include immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgG, and lactoferrin. We examined their role in bacterial translocation in neonatal rabbits. IgA, IgG, and lactoferrin were isolated from rabbit breast milk through gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Neonates were randomized to receive breast milk, formula alone, or formula supplemented with IgA, IgG, or lactoferrin. Quantitative cultures were performed on day 7 for bacterial translocation. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections of distal ileum were examined by light microscopy. Transmucosal bacterial passage was determined in vitro, and the ileal mucosal membranes were examined by confocal microscopy. IgA supplementation abrogated bacterial translocation. IgG and lactoferrin had no significant effect. Neonates that received IgA or breast milk gained more weight than those in the other groups. IgA reduced transmucosal bacterial passage in vitro. In contrast to the normal-appearing distal ileum of neonates fed breast milk, intestinal epithelium from neonates that received formula or formula with IgG or IgA demonstrated prominent vacuoles by light microscopy. Those fed formula alone or formula with lactoferrin had slightly shortened villi. IgA supplementation prevents bacterial translocation by enhancing gut mucosal barrier function.
    Surgery 09/1998; 124(2):284-90. · 3.10 Impact Factor
  • Article: Pure endotoxin does not pass across the intestinal epithelium in vitro.
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    ABSTRACT: Numerous reports suggest that endotoxin (LPS) may play a central role in triggering the inflammatory cascade that leads to the systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Although conditions that promote bacterial translocation in vivo may also facilitate direct translocation of LPS, the exact mechanisms by which LPS crosses the intestinal barrier to reach the systemic circulation are unknown. This study was designed to determine whether pure endotoxin could pass across injured rat ileal mucosa in the Ussing chamber. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to mild or severe hemorrhagic shock following carotid artery cannulation, and then resuscitated. Control animals underwent carotid artery cannulation only (sham-shock). Bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, or spleen was measured after 24 h. Transmucosal passage of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled E. coli C-25, or FITC-conjugated LPS was measured in the Ussing chamber. Intestinal membranes were examined by light and confocal laser microscopy. Severe hemorrhagic shock resulted in a 60% mortality rate and a 100% incidence of bacterial translocation in surviving animals. Sham-shock rats had a 100% survival rate and a 33% incidence of bacterial translocation. Transmucosal passage of FITC-E. coli C-25 was similar in both groups; however, passage of FITC-LPS was never detected. Histologic analysis confirmed mucosal injury to the intestinal epithelium of rats subjected to severe hemorrhagic shock, and confocal laser microscopy demonstrated passage of FITC-E. coil C-25, but not of FITC-LPS across the ileal membranes. Disruption of the intestinal epithelium with a potent mucolytic agent did not result in significant increase in transmucosal passage of FITC-LPS. We conclude that pure LPS does not pass across the intestinal mucosa in vitro. Transmucosal passage of LPS in vivo may be due, at least in part, to the release of bacterial cell wall fragments containing LPS from killed bacteria that had previously translocated.
    Shock 08/1998; 10(1):43-8. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: Inhibition of nitric oxide with aminoguanidine reduces bacterial translocation after endotoxin challenge in vivo.
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    ABSTRACT: Administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been shown to increase bacterial translocation (BT) in vivo and in vitro. In addition, LPS upregulates inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in the intestinal epithelium-a phenomenon that can either enhance microbial killing, or alternatively, promote BT by impairing the gut barrier. To determine the effect, if any, of an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, namely, aminoguanidine (AG), on BT after LPS challenge. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive either AG or normal saline solution via subcutaneously placed osmotic pumps (Alzet), followed 18 hours later by LPS injection (5 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally). Quantitative cultures of the cecum, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen were obtained, and plasma nitrite and nitrate levels were measured at 24 hours. Transmembrane potential difference and mucosal permeability to fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled Escherichia coli C25 were measured in the Using chamber. The intestinal membrane was examined by light, transmission electron, and confocal laser microscopy. Rats that were given high-dose LPS had elevated levels of nitrite and nitrate and a 100% incidence of BT. In contrast, AG infusion significantly reduced both BT (22%) and nitrite and nitrate levels. Animals that received LPS and normal saline solution had a significantly lower transmembrane potential difference than those that received LPS and AG. High-dose LPS resulted in sloughing of the apical enterocytes at the villus tips where bacterial entry seemed to occur, as seen with confocal laser microscopy. Inhibition of nitric oxide production with AG decreases BT after high-dose LPS challenge. The mechanism may involve increased cellular viability and decreased damage to the gut mucosal barrier in rats that receive AG.
    Archives of Surgery 12/1996; 131(11):1155-63. · 4.24 Impact Factor
  • Article: The microenvironment influences the pattern of bacterial translocation in formula-fed neonates.
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    ABSTRACT: The authors previously demonstrated that neonatal rabbits fed conventional formula have a significantly greater incident of bacterial translocation than do neonatal rabbits fed breast milk. They hypothesized that exogenous bacteria in the formula and/or the microenvironment of the neonatal rabbit may contribute to the higher incidence of bacterial translocation. In the present study, the authors examined the incidence of bacterial translocation in neonatal rabbits fed pasteurized formula, unsterile formula, or breast milk while being housed in a clean or unsterile environment. The rabbits were divided into five groups. Groups I and II were fed pasteurized formula; groups III and IV were fed unsterile formula. In addition, groups I and III were housed in a clean environment, and groups II and IV were kept in an unsterile environment. The neonates in group V were fed breast milk and were kept in an unsterile environment. On the seventh day, the animals were killed, and the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen were cultured for the presence of bacteria. Bacterial translocation occurred in 100% of group IV neonates. A clean environment (groups I and III) eliminated gram-negative bacterial translocation. A reduction (50%) in the overall incidence of bacterial translocation was obtained by pasteurizing the formula (group I v group III). Group II had significantly less gram-negative bacterial translocation than did group IV. None of the neonates in group V had translocation. The data show that a clean environment abrogates gram-negative bacterial translocation. Pasteurizing the formula significantly reduces the incidence of gram-negative bacterial translocation, and further reduces overall bacterial translocation in a clean environment. The authors hypothesize that control of the microenvironment can significantly influence the pattern of bacterial translocation in formula-fed neonates, and thus potentially reduce the incidence of gut-origin sepsis. Factors present in breast milk inhibit bacterial translocation, regardless of the microenvironment.
    Journal of Pediatric Surgery 05/1996; 31(4):486-9. · 1.45 Impact Factor