Comparison of metabolic processes in small and large intestine tissues in the acute spinal injury according to fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM)

Intestinal dysfunction plays a crucial role in the developing of early and late complications in patients with spinal injury. Intestinal dysfunction can lead to metabolic imbalances like maldigestion, malabsorption, and intestinal dyskinesia. The study of metabolic processes in the tissues of the intestinal tube against the spinal cord injury can help to treat enteral and colonic insufficiency and reduce the number of surgical complications. The objective of the study is to examine the dynamics of metabolic processes in the tissues of the small and large intestines in acute spinal cord injury. Materials and Methods. The experiment was performed on laboratory animals, Wistar rats (n=22). Spinal cord injury was reproduced by complete transection of the spinal cord at the level of the Th5-Th6 vertebrae. The dynamics of cellular metabolism were assessed at different time intervals during the development of post-traumatic disease in vivo using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) based on autofluorescence in the spectral channel of the metabolic cofactor NAD(P)H. Results. The acute spinal cord injury is accompanied by changes in endogenous autofluorescence of the serous membrane tissues in the small and large intestines. A decrease in the activity of metabolic processes and their catabolic orientation are noted in the small intestine. On the contrary, metabolic processes intensify over time in the large intestine Conclusion. For the first time an in vivo experiment showed that the acute spinal injury was accompanied by a disruption of metabolic processes in the intestinal tissues. Fundamental multidirectionality was observed. Thus, a more balanced approach is necessary to combat intestinal failure in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord disease.