Rapid Reversal of Human Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Induced Damage by Shedding of Injured Enterocytes and Reepithelialisation

Abstract

This is the first human study to clarify intestinal IR induced cell damage and repair and its direct consequences. It reveals a unique, endogenous clearing mechanism for injured enterocytes: rapid detachment of damaged apoptotic enterocytes into the lumen. This process is followed by repair of the epithelial continuity within an hour, resulting in a normal epithelial lining.