Objective      To determine the protective effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and polyriboinosinic: polyribocytidylic acid [poly(I:C)

]

pre-stimulated MSCs on the intestinal barrier function in sepsis rats.       Methods      The sepsis model of rats was established with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). SD rats were randomly divided into normal control

sepsis

conventional treatment (conventional fluid resuscitation+dopamine+cefuroxime

CT)

MSCs+CT (MSCs 3×10

6

cells/animal) and ploy(I:C) pre-stimulated MSCs+CT groups [MSC was pre-stimulated by poly (I:C) with 20 μg/mL for 24 h

]

. The intestinal permeability

levels of blood endotoxin and D-lactic acid (D-Lac)

intestinal morphology and animal survival time and survival rates were observed.       Results      Compared with normal control group

the levels of intestinal permeability

D-Lac and endotoxin were significantly increased in sepsis rats (P0.01). The pathological observation showed that the intestinal villi were obviously decreased

the inflammatory cells and red blood cells were significantly increased. In 3 d after conventional treatment

the intestinal barrier function were slightly improved

the levels of blood D-Lac and endotoxin were slightly reduced

and the intestinal injury had some extent of alleviation. MSCs treatment was better than the CT treatment. What’s more

poly(I:C) pre-stimulation significantly enhanced the protective effect of MSCs along on intestinal barrier function. The concentrations of blood D-Lac and endotoxin were significantly reduced in poly(I:C) pre-stimulated MSCs group than in MSCs group (P0.05). The intestinal glands and villi were obviously increased and the inflammatory cells were significantly decreased in this group.       Conclusion      Poly(I:C) pre-stimulation enhances the protective effects of MSCs on intestinal barrier function in sepsis rats.