The roles of the glucagon-like peptide-2 and the serum TGF-beta 1 levels in the intestinal barrier and immune functions in rats with obstructive jaundice

Objective: To determine the mechanisms by which glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) impacts the intestinal barrier function, the immune function, and the serum transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) levels in rats with obstructive jaundice. Methods: Overall, 72 SPF-grade healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups containing 18 rats each: the observation group (ligation of common bile duct, intraperitoneal GLP-2 injection), the control group (ligation of common bile duct, normal saline), the sham-operated group (common bile duct exposed without ligation, normal saline), and the blank group. The serum immune function and the TGF-beta 1 levels were measured on days 3, 7, and 14 after the intervention. Results: The body mass was determined to be significantly less in the control group than in the other three groups on day 14 after the intervention (P < 0.05). The TGF-beta 1, endotoxin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and bilirubin were expressed at significantly higher levels in the control group compared with the blank and sham-operated groups and were the highest at each time point, but the levels in the observation group were significantly decreased after the intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusions: We found that GLP-2 can decrease the serum TGF-beta 1 levels, regulate the immune function, reduce the endotoxin and bilirubin, and protect the intestinal barrier function in rats with obstructive jaundice.