Abstract: Objective To investigate the significance of altered intestinal immunoglobulin(Ig)A and interleukin(IL)-6mRNA expression in obstructive jaundice. Methods Forty-eight mail Wistar Rats were divided randomly into shame-operation(SO) group and obstructive jaundice(OJ) group. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of IL-6mRNA, IgA in intestinal tissues; and the level of endotoxin in portal vein were detected. Results: The quantity of IgA+, IL-6mRNA+ cells in OJ group were lower than the SO group (P<0.01). And in OJ group the quantity of IgA+, IL-6mRNA+ cells were lessoned with the length of the day (P<0.05). The correlation between quantity of IgA+ cells and the endotoxin level in portal vein was negative (r=-0.906, P<0.01). The correlation between the quantity of IL-6mRNA+ cells and the endotoxin level in portal vein was negative(r=-0.891, P<0.01). Conclusion lower-regulation of IgA and IL-6mRNA expression in the intestinal tissues of rats with obstructive jaundice could impair the function of barrier of intestinal mucosa and it is another reason of induced enterotoxemia.

Key words: jaundice, IgA, interleukin-6, endotoxin, intestinal mucosa