Reduced nucleus accumbens functional connectivity in reward network and default mode network in patients with recurrent major depressive disorder.

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is considered a hub of reward processing and a growing body of evidence has suggested its crucial role in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, inconsistent results have been reported by studies on reward network-focused resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). In this study, we examined functional alterations of the NAc-based reward circuits in patients with MDD via meta- and mega-analysis. First, we performed a coordinated-based meta-analysis with a new SDM-PSI method for all up-to-date rs-fMRI studies that focused on the reward circuits of patients with MDD. Then, we tested the meta-analysis results in the REST-meta-MDD database which provided anonymous rs-fMRI data from 186 recurrent MDDs and 465 healthy controls. Decreased functional connectivity (FC) within the reward system in patients with recurrent MDD was the most robust finding in this study. We also found disrupted NAc FCs in the DMN in patients with recurrent MDD compared with healthy controls. Specifically, the combination of disrupted NAc FCs within the reward network could discriminate patients with recurrent MDD from healthy controls with an optimal accuracy of 74.7%. This study confirmed the critical role of decreased FC in the reward network in the neuropathology of MDD. Disrupted inter-network connectivity between the reward network and DMN may also have contributed to the neural mechanisms of MDD. These abnormalities have potential to serve as brain-based biomarkers for individual diagnosis to differentiate patients with recurrent MDD from healthy controls.

Disrupted intrinsic functional brain topology in patients with major depressive disorder.

Aberrant topological organization of whole-brain networks has been inconsistently reported in studies of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), reflecting limited sample sizes. To address this issue, we utilized a big data sample of MDD patients from the REST-meta-MDD Project, including 821 MDD patients and 765 normal controls (NCs) from 16 sites. Using the Dosenbach 160 node atlas, we examined whole-brain functional networks and extracted topological features (e.g., global and local efficiency, nodal efficiency, and degree) using graph theory-based methods. Linear mixed-effect models were used for group comparisons to control for site variability; robustness of results was confirmed (e.g., multiple topological parameters, different node definitions, and several head motion control strategies were applied). We found decreased global and local efficiency in patients with MDD compared to NCs. At the nodal level, patients with MDD were characterized by decreased nodal degrees in the somatomotor network (SMN), dorsal attention network (DAN) and visual network (VN) and decreased nodal efficiency in the default mode network (DMN), SMN, DAN, and VN. These topological differences were mostly driven by recurrent MDD patients, rather than first-episode drug naive (FEDN) patients with MDD. In this highly powered multisite study, we observed disrupted topological architecture of functional brain networks in MDD, suggesting both locally and globally decreased efficiency in brain networks.

Predictors of acute intracranial hemorrhage and recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma following burr hole drainage.

BACKGROUND: To investigate predictors of postoperative acute intracranial hemorrhage (AIH) and recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) after burr hole drainage. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study of patients who underwent burr hole drainage for CSDH between January 2013 and March 2019. RESULTS: A total of 448 CSDH patients were enrolled in the study. CSDH recurrence occurred in 60 patients, with a recurrence rate of 13.4%. The mean time interval between initial burr hole drainage and recurrence was 40.8 ± 28.3 days. Postoperative AIH developed in 23 patients, with an incidence of 5.1%. The mean time interval between initial burr hole drainage and postoperative AIH was 4.7 ± 2.9 days. Bilateral hematoma, hyperdense hematoma and anticoagulant drug use were independent predictors of recurrence in the multiple logistic regression analyses. Preoperative headache was an independent risk factor of postoperative AIH in the multiple logistic regression analyses, however, intraoperative irrigation reduced the incidence of postoperative AIH. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that bilateral hematoma, hyperdense hematoma and anticoagulant drug use were independently associated with CSDH recurrence. Clinical presentation of headache was the strongest predictor of postoperative AIH, and intraoperative irrigation decreased the incidence of postoperative AIH.

Effects of Baihui electroacupuncture in a rat model of depression.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on behavior in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: A total of 45 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control, CUMS, and CUMS plus EA groups. Rats in the CUMS and EA groups were subjected to a 3-week CUMS condition, while rats in the EA group received EA at the Baihui (GV 20) acupoint (2 Hz, 0.6 mA) for 10 min once daily before being subjected to the CUMS condition. The sucrose preference test (SPT) was used as a measure to infer activation of the pleasure response to depression-like behaviour. After the behavioral test, 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was intraperitoneally injected (100 mg/kg) and brain samples were collected 24 h later for the detection of hippocampal BrdU. Cell proliferation was determined according to the proportion of BrdU-positive cells. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression was detected. RESULTS: The severity of anhedonia, BDNF+ cells, and BrdU+ neurons in DG significantly decreased in CUMS rats, and was accompanied by a reduced BDNF and BrdU+ expression (P<0.05). After EA, the low levels of BDNF+ cells and BrdU+ expression and the depression-like behavior increased markedly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EA contributes to neuroprotection against CUMS by enhancing BDNF expression and improving hippocampal neurogenesis.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Liver Diseases.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an efficient therapeutic option to improve progress of lots of diseases especially hypoxia-related injuries, and has been clinically established as a wide-used therapy for patients with carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, arterial gas embolism, problematic wound, and so on. In the liver, most studies positively evaluated HBOT as a potential therapeutic option for liver transplantation, acute liver injury, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cancer, especially for hepatic artery thrombosis. This might mainly attribute to the anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation of HBOT. However, some controversies are existed, possibly due to hyperbaric oxygen toxicity. This review summarizes the current understandings of the role of HBOT in liver diseases and hepatic regeneration. Future understanding of HBOT in clinical trials and its in-depth mechanisms may contribute to the development of this novel adjuvant strategy for clinical therapy of liver diseases.

Early enteral nutrition with polymeric feeds was associated with chylous ascites in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: Chylous ascites (CA) may be involved in the pathological process of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study investigated the incidence of CA in patients with SAP and its relationship with enteral nutrition (EN). METHODS: A retrospective review of 85 patients with SAP admitted to our hospital was performed. Patients starting EN within 72 hours after the onset of SAP were classified as the early EN (EEN) group, and others, as the later EN group. The incidences of CA and prognosis in the EEN and later EN groups were examined with nutrition preparation of polymeric formula or semielemental feed. RESULTS: Thirteen (15.29%) of 85 patients were identified with CA. A higher incidence of CA was observed in EEN patients who received polymeric formula (9 of 33, P < 0.05). All patients with CA were successfully treated with a modified medium-chain triglyceride diet. Consequently, there were no differences in intensive care unit stay and in mortality rates in patients with or without CA. CONCLUSIONS: There was a higher incidence of CA associated with early enteral feeding of polymeric formula in patients with SAP. Future studies are warranted to confirm our findings and evaluate better enteral feeding options to avoid CA.

Surgical intervention of severe post-ERCP-pancreatitis accompanied with duodenum perforation.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure widely used to diagnose and treat conditions of biliary or pancreatic ductal system. The post-ERCP severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) accompanied with duodenum perforation is rare but serious, remaining a challenge in clinic. In this study we report two such cases. Two Chinese women were treated for clinical suspicion of bile duct obstruction and underwent ERCP after admission. Both developed duodenum perforation and SAP after ERCP, and were managed in the intensive care unit (ICU) and required an organ-failure support. The surgical intervention of the peri-pancreatic debridement with lumber-abdominal compound incisions and postoperative washing and drainage was performed, and the two patients recovered well. The therapeutic effect of the peri-pancreatic debridement with lumber-abdominal compound incisions combined with postoperative washing and drainage in the patients of severe post-ERCP-pancreatitis (PEP) and duodenum perforation is satisfactory.

Incidence of unexplained intra-abdominal free fluid in patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal free fluid is commonly caused by injuries of solid or hollow organs in patients suffering from blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). However, it presents a diagnostic dilemma for surgeons when free fluid is unexplained, especially in stable BAT patients. This study was to analyze the incidence of such unexplained free fluid in BAT patients and its diagnostic value in abdominal organ injury. METHODS: Altogether 597 patients with BAT who had been treated at our trauma center over a 10-year period were reviewed. Stable patients with free fluid but without free air or definite organ injury on abdominal computed tomography were studied. Clinical management and operative findings were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-four (5.70%) of the 597 patients met the inclusion criteria: 24 (4.02%) underwent therapeutic exploratory laparotomy: bowel injuries were found in 13, hepatic rupture in 3, colon rupture in 3, duodenal rupture in 2, spleen rupture in 1, pancreas rupture in 1, and gallbladder perforation in 1. In 2 patients, laparotomy was nontherapeutic. Those with moderate or large amounts of free fluid were more likely to suffer from a hollow viscus injury and have a therapeutic procedure. The mean time of hospital stay for the delayed laparotomy group was longer than that for the emergency group (19+/-5.12 vs. 12+/-2.24 days; t=2.73, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There was a positive correlation between the amount of unexplained free fluid and the determination of intra-abdominal organ injury. The proportion of BAT patients who required surgical intervention was high, particularly those with a moderate or large amount of free fluid, and most of them suffered from a hollow organ injury. Emergency laparotomy is recommended for these patients.

Albumin resuscitation protects against traumatic/hemorrhagic shock-induced lung apoptosis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of albumin administration on lung injury and apoptosis in traumatic/hemorrhagic shock (T/HS) rats. METHODS: Studies were performed on an in vivo model of spontaneously breathing rats with induced T/HS; the rats were subjected to femur fracture, ischemia for 30 min, and reperfusion for 20 min with Ringer's lactate solution (RS) or 5% (w/v) albumin (ALB), and the left lower lobes of the lungs were resected. RESULTS: Albumin administered during reperfusion markedly attenuated injury of the lung and decreased the concentration of lactic acid and the number of in situ TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL)-positive cells. Moreover, immunohistochemistry performed 24 h after reperfusion revealed increases in the level of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the albumin-untreated group was down-regulated by albumin treatment when compared with the sham rats. CONCLUSION: Resuscitation with albumin attenuates tissue injury and inhibits T/HS-induced apoptosis in the lung via the p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway that functions to stimulate the activation of NF-kappaB.

Allicin, a major component of garlic, inhibits apoptosis in vital organs in rats with trauma/hemorrhagic shock.

OBJECTIVE: Allicin is believed to be the main component responsible for the biological activity of garlic. The regulation of cell apoptosis may have therapeutic potential for trauma/hemorrhagic shock, and previous studies have demonstrated that allicin exerts protective effects against tissue ischemia-reperfusion injury. Therefore, this study examined the effects of allicin on apoptosis-related organ damage, induced by trauma/hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: Studies were performed on an in vivo model of spontaneously breathing rats with induced trauma/hemorrhagic shock; the left lower lobe of the lungs, left kidney, and intestine were resected, and the rats were subjected to femur fracture, ischemia for 30 mins, and reperfusion for 20 mins. Allicin (30 microg/kg) was administered during reperfusion. RESULTS: Allicin administered during reperfusion markedly attenuated injury and apoptosis of the lungs, kidneys, and intestine and decreased the concentrations of lactic acid and creatinine, the number of in situ TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells, and the activity and expression of caspase-3 and -9 (as determined by Western blot). Furthermore, immunohistochemistry and Western blot performed 24 hrs after reperfusion revealed increases in the levels of nuclear factor kappaB, phosphorylated p38, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 mitogen-activated protein kinase in the allicin-untreated group when compared with the sham rats. Allicin treatment downregulated the levels of nuclear factor kappaB and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase but did not modify those of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 mitogen-activated protein kinase. CONCLUSION: Allicin attenuates tissue injury and inhibits trauma/hemorrhagic shock- and reperfusion-induced apoptosis in several important organs via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway that functions to stimulate the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB, caspase-3 and -9, but not of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Resuscitation with hydroxyethyl starch solution prevents CD4+ T-lymphocyte apoptosis and modulates the balance of T helper type 1 and T helper type 2 responses in the rat with traumatic virgule/shill hemorrhagic shock.

Trauma/hemorrhagic shock (TH/S) has been associated with inflammation and immunodisorders, leading to immunosuppression, multiorgan dysfunction, and death. However, little is known about the effect of resuscitation with different solutions on the immunological function. To address this issue, groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were induced with TH/S by fracture in the left femur and continual bleeding to keep the MAP of 30 +/- 5 mmHg for 30 min, followed by resuscitation with 6% hydroxyethyl starch solution (HES), Ringer's lactate solution (RS), or 5% albumin (ALB), and the impact of resuscitation on the activation, differentiation, and survival of CD4 T cells was longitudinally examined after TH/S and resuscitation. After resuscitation, the MAP, as expected, gradually increased regardless of the type of fluids transfused. The percentage of CD4+ T cells decreased to 20% to 25%, and the ratio of T helper type 1 (TH1)/TH2 responses was significantly reduced in all TH/S rats, however, resuscitation with HES alone reversed the trends (49.4% +/- 9.7% vs. 55.2% +/- 2.6% in sham for CD4 T cells; 0.64 +/- 0.23 vs. 0.71 +/- 0.16 in sham for the ratio of TH1/TH2, P > 0.05 for both). Treatment with HES or ALB, but not RS, prevented CD4 T-cell apoptosis (sham, 7.23% +/- 3.4%; HES, 10.2% +/- 4.1%; RS, 15.2% +/- 5.4%; ALB, 10.6% +/- 4.3%; 48 h) and nuclear factor-kappaB p65 activation (sham, 0.17 +/- 0.04; HES, 0.34 +/- 0.05; RS, 0.41 +/- 0.09; ALB, 0.25 +/- 0.09; 48 h) induced by TH/S early after resuscitation. These data demonstrated that HES resuscitation modulated the balance of TH1 and TH2 responses and inhibited TH/S-related nuclear factor-kappaB activation and CD4 T-cell apoptosis in TH/S rats. Our findings provide new insights into understanding the TH/S-related immunodisorders and may aid in the design of new therapy for intervention of TH/S.

Pre-existing cirrhosis is associated with increased mortality of traumatic patients: analysis of cases from a trauma center in east China.

AIM: To determine the impact of cirrhosis on trauma patients and define the factors predicting death. METHODS: The data on patients admitted to the trauma center from January 2000-2005 were studied retrospectively. The clinical variables were recorded and compared to identify the factors differentiating cirrhotic trauma survivors from non survivors. Child's classification criteria were derived from the reviewed charts of cirrhotic trauma patients to evaluate their predictive value in cirrhotic trauma. Trauma registry was also used to generate a trauma control group by matching for age, sex, abbreviated injury score (AIS) over the same period of time. The outcome variables compared were mortality rate, time of ICU and hospital stay. Results were expressed as mean +/- SD. These data were analyzed by SPSS.11.0 statistical software. Univariate analysis was performed to identify significant medical factors for survivor and non survivors subjected to chi-square test. Fisher's exact test and Student's t test were performed to determine the statistical difference between cirrhotic and control groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Poor prognosis of traum patients was associated with one or more of the following findings: ascitcs, yperbilirubinemia (more than 2 mg/dL), hypoalbuminemia (less than 3.5 mg/dL), and prolonged prothrombin time (more than 12.5 s). Although Child's classification was used to predict the outcome in cirrhotic patients undergoing portacaval shunt procedures, no significant difference was found in mortality rate as a function of Child's classification. CONCLUSION: Cirrhosis is associated with a higher mortality, a longer time of ICU and hospital stay of trauma patients. It seems that treatment of trauma patients with pre-existing severe liver disease is a challenge to surgeons.

Can albumin administration relieve lung injury in trauma/hemorrhagic shock?

AIM: To study the effect of albumin administration on lung injury in trauma/hemorrhagic shock (T/HS). METHODS: Sixty experimental animals were randomly divided into three groups: rats undergoing laparotomy without shock (T/SS); rats with T/HS and resuscitation with blood plus twice the volume of shed blood as Ringer's lactate (RL), and rats with T/HS and resuscitation with blood plus additional 3 mL of 50 g/L human albumin. Expression of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) CD11b/CD18, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) of jugular vein blood and the severity of lung injuries [determined mainly by measuring activity of lung tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lung injury score (LIS)] were measured after a 3-h recovery period. RESULTS: All three groups showed a significant difference in the expressions of CD11b/CD18, ICAM-1, and severity of lung injury. The expressions of CD11b/CD18 in T/SS group, T/HS + RL group, T/HS + albumin group were 17.76% +/- 2.11%, 31.25% +/- 3.48%, 20.36% +/- 3.21%, respectively (F = 6.25, P < 0.05). The expressions of ICAM-1 (U/mL) in T/SS group, T/HS + RL group, T/HS + albumin group were 258.76 +/- 98.23, 356.23 +/- 65.6, 301.01 +/- 63.21, respectively (F = 5.86, P < 0.05). The expressions of MPO (U/g) in T/SS group, T/HS + RL group, T/HS + albumin group were 2.53 +/- 0.11, 4.63 +/- 1.31, 4.26 +/- 1.12, respectively (F = 6.26, P < 0.05). Moreover, LIS in T/HS + RL group, T/HS + albumin group was 2.62 +/- 0.23, 1.25 +/- 0.24, respectively. The expressions of CD11b/CD18, ICAM-1 and MPO in T/HS + RL group were significantly increased compared to T/SS group (P = 0.025, P = 0.036, P = 0.028, respectively). However, administration of 3 mL of 50 g/L albumin significantly down-regulated the expressions of CD11b/CD18, ICAM-1 and lung injury index (MPO and LIS) when compared with the T/HS + RL rats (P = 0.035, P = 0.046, P = 0.038, P = 0.012, respectively). CONCLUSION: The infusion of albumin during resuscitation period can protect lung from injury and decrease the expressions of CD11b/CD18, ICAM-1 in T/HS rats.

Protective effect of albumin on lungs injury in traumatic/hemorrhagic shock rats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of albumin administration on lung injury in traumatic/hemorrhagic shock (T/HS) rats. METHODS: Forty-eight adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups randomly (n=16 in each group): Group A, Group B, Group C. In Group A, rats underwent laparotomy without shock. In Group B, rats undergoing T/HS were resuscitated with their blood plus lactated Ringer's (twice the volume of shed blood). In Group C, rats undergoing T/HS were resuscitated with their shed blood plus additional 3 ml of 5% human albumin. The expression of polymorphonuclear neutrophils CD18/CD11b in jugular vein blood was evaluated. The main lung injury indexes (the activity of myeloperoxidase and lung injury score) were measured. RESULTS: Significant differences of the expression of CD18/11b and the severity degree of lung injury were founded between the three groups. (P<0.05). The expression of CD18/CD11b and the main lung injury indexes in Group B and Group C increased significantly compared with those in Group A (P<0.05). At the same time, the expression of CD18/CD11b and the main lung injury indexes in Group C decreased dramatically, compared those in Group B (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The infusion of albumin during resuscitation period can protect lungs from injury and decrease the expression of CD18/CD11b in T/HS rats.

Liver fibrosis caused by choledocholith to regress after biliary drainage.

AIM: To study the correlation between liver fibrosis severity and biliary drainage in patients with choledocholith. METHODS: A follow-up study on seven patients with liver fibrosis due to choledocholith was made. The data, including biochemical tests (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase) and liver histological features before and after biliary drainage, were collected and studied. The fibrosis severity was scored on a scale from 0 to 3, with 0 denoting none, 1 portal and periportal fibrosis, 2 the presence of numerous fiber septa, and 3 cirrhosis. The average liver fibrosis severity scores of the first and second biopsy were compared with statistical method. RESULTS: The first, second liver fibrosis severity scores of these seven patients were 2,1; 2,1; 1,0; 1,1; 2,1; 2,1; 1,0 respectively. The results showed that the average liver fibrosis severity score of the second liver biopsy decreased significantly compared with the first liver biopsy (n = 7, t = 4.25, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Liver fibrosis due to choledocholith may regress after biliary drainage.

Regression of liver fibrosis after biliary drainage in patients with choledocholith: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Choledocholith is prevalent in some Asian countries and may lead to liver fibrosis and portal vein hypertension. Biliary drainage is an effective treatment for choledocholith. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of biliary drainage on liver fibrosis due to choledocholith. METHODS: Eight patients with liver fibrosis caused by choledocholith were followed up by biochemical tests (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase) and liver biopsy before and after biliary drainage, respectively. The severity of the fibrosis was scored on a scale from 0 to 3 (0: denoting none; 1: portal and periportal fibrosis; 2: the presence of numerous fiber septa; and 3: cirrhosis). The results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The severity scores of liver fibrosis in the 8 patients were 2,1; 2,1; 1,0; 1,1; 2,1; 1,1; 2,1; 1,0 before and after biliary drainage, respectively. The results showed that the average severity of liver fibrosis decreased significantly after biliary drainage (n=8, t=4.573, P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Liver fibrosis due to choledocholith may regress after biliary drainage.

Effects of intestinal lymph on expression of neutrophil adhesion factors and lung injury after trauma-induced shock.

AIM: To study how intestinal lymph after trauma-induced shock (TIS) interferes with expression of neutrophil adhesion factors (CD11b and CD18) and causes lung injury. METHODS: Thirty-two adult healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups. Groups 1 and 2 included rats with TIS caused by hitting the mid-upper part of both side femoral bones with a 2,500 kg raw- iron, and with or without ligation of mesenteric lymph duct. Groups 3 and 4 included rats with sham-TIS and with or without ligation of mesenteric lymph duct. Expression of neutrophil CD18 and CD11b in at 1 and 3 h after a 90-min TIS/sham-TIS was evaluated. These rats were killed at 3 h after TIS/sham-TIS, and lungs were taken immediately. The main lung injury indexes (the MPO activity and lung injury score) were measured. RESULTS: The expressions of CD18 and CD11b at 1 and 3 h after a 90-min TIS and the main lung injury indexes were significantly increased compared with those in the sham-TIS groups (P<0.05). Moreover, at 1 and 3 h after TIS, the expressions of CD18 (32.12+/-1.25 and 33.46+/-0.98) and CD11b (29.56+/-1.35 and 30.56+/-1.85) were significantly decreased in rats with ligation of mesenteric lymph duct, compared with those (52.3+/-1.12 and 50.21+/-1.25, and 42.24+/-1.24 and 42.81+/-1.12, respectively) in those without the ligation (all P<0.05). The main lung injury indexes in rats with TIS with ligation of mesenteric lymph duct (0.96+/-0.12 and 6.54+/-0.35) were also significantly decreased, compared with those (1.56+/-0.21 and 9.56+/-0.23) in rats with TIS without the ligation (both P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in expressions of CD18 and CD11b and the main lung injury indexes between the two sham-TIS groups. CONCLUSION: Previous ligation of mesenteric lymph ducts prevents or alleviates the up-regulated expression of PMN CD18 and CD11b and the lung injury induced by TIS. Our findings also indicate that neutrophil adhesion molecule activation and lung injury during TIS appear to be caused by some factors that are released or produced by post-ischemic intestine through the mesenteric lymph pathway.