The relationship between glial distortion and neuronal changes following intestinal ischemia and reperfusion

Abstract

Background Damage to mucosal epithelial cells, muscle cells and enteric neurons has been extensively studied following intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Interestingly, the effects of intestinal I/R on enteric glia remains unexplored, despite knowledge that glia contribute to neuronal maintenance. Here, we describe structural damage to enteric glia and associated changes in distribution and immunoreactivity of the neuronal protein Hu. Methods The mouse small intestine was made ischemic for 3h and reperfused from 1 to 12h. Immunohistochemical localisation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Hu and TUNEL were used to evaluate changes. Key Results At all time points glial cells b..