bFGF ameliorates intestinal mucosal permeability and barrier function through tight junction proteins in burn injury rats

Abstract Backgroud To investigate the protective effect of exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) treatment on the intestinal mucosa in scalded rats. Methods Thirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 12): sham group, scald group and bFGF group (0.5 mg/kg). Intestinal barrier dysfunction was evaluated by permeability of intestinal mucosa to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran and Chiu’s grading system. H&E staining was used to detect the morphological changes of intestinal mucosa. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin. Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of ZO-1, Claudin-1, occludin and myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK). Results The results demonstrated that following bFGF treatment, permeability of the intestinal epithelium barrier of was significantly decreased compared to scald group. H&E staining and Chiu’s grading were consistent with previous result. The expression of ZO-1, Claudin-1, occludin in bFGF group were significantly increased compared to scald group, while MLCK protein was decreased. Conclusions bFGF ameliorates permeability of intestinal mucosa after burns. The possible mechanism may be relate to bFGF could increase the expression level of tight junction proteins (TJPs).