Abstract
Abstract
Background
The intestine is both a driver and a target of posttraumatic organ dysfunction. However, it remains unclear whether, and to what extent an extra-abdominal trauma, such as thoracic trauma with transient hemorrhagic shock and hind-limb ischemia (THS), provokes remote intestinal alterations.
Methods
A post hoc analysis was performed using jejunal tissue from a standardized murine THS model. Histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analyses evaluated epithelial integrity, barrier components, and immune responses 24 h after the insult.
Results
Histological assessment of the intestine revealed no overt morphological damage. Nonetheless, jejunal expression of
Tnk1
and
Ripk3
was significantly increased, indicating epithelial stress and activation of necroptotic signaling. Tight junction marker
Tjp1
was upregulated, while
Muc2
was reduced. Intestinal expression levels of
Il6
and
Ifng
declined, paralleled by a decrease in CD3⁺ T cells, whereas
Lcn2
levels increased.
Conclusions
Thoracic trauma combined with transient hemorrhagic shock including hind-limb ischemia induces remote intestinal alterations, characterized by epithelial stress, compensatory barrier reinforcement, and reduced mucosal immunity. These findings highlight the gut’s sensitivity to extra-abdominal trauma and its potential contribution to systemic injury propagation.