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Review
. 2015 Jan 15;308(2):G63-75.
doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00112.2013. Epub 2014 Nov 20.

Animal models of ischemia-reperfusion-induced intestinal injury: progress and promise for translational research

Liara M Gonzalez  1 , Adam J Moeser  2 , Anthony T Blikslager  3
Affiliations
Review

Animal models of ischemia-reperfusion-induced intestinal injury: progress and promise for translational research

Liara M Gonzalez et al. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. .

Abstract

Research in the field of ischemia-reperfusion injury continues to be plagued by the inability to translate research findings to clinically useful therapies. This may in part relate to the complexity of disease processes that result in intestinal ischemia but may also result from inappropriate research model selection. Research animal models have been integral to the study of ischemia-reperfusion-induced intestinal injury. However, the clinical conditions that compromise intestinal blood flow in clinical patients ranges widely from primary intestinal disease to processes secondary to distant organ failure and generalized systemic disease. Thus models that closely resemble human pathology in clinical conditions as disparate as volvulus, shock, and necrotizing enterocolitis are likely to give the greatest opportunity to understand mechanisms of ischemia that may ultimately translate to patient care. Furthermore, conditions that result in varying levels of ischemia may be further complicated by the reperfusion of blood to tissues that, in some cases, further exacerbates injury. This review assesses animal models of ischemia-reperfusion injury as well as the knowledge that has been derived from each to aid selection of appropriate research models. In addition, a discussion of the future of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion research is provided to place some context on the areas likely to provide the greatest benefit from continued research of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Keywords: animal model; intestine; ischemia; mucosal injury; reperfusion.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Clinical conditions that cause ischemic intestinal injury.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Mechanism of ischemia-reperfusion injury. ROMS, reactive oxygen metabolites.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Epithelial loss associated with ischemic intestinal injury in porcine jejunum. As the duration of ischemia increases there is progressive loss of epithelium that begins at the villus tip and continues toward the crypt base. Asterisk indicates Gruenhagen's space. Scale bar 50 μm.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Species differences in villus microvascular architecture.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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