AHMET ALPTEKİN, BURCU BİLTEKİN, MEVLİT KORKMAZ, NÜVİT SARIMURAT, ERGUN ERDOĞAN
Europeanatolia Health Sciences Journal - 2025;3(2):62-68
Introduction and Objective: This study aimed to incubate the tissue-engineered small intestine (TESI) organoids in rabbit omentum with tubularized PLGA and to compare them with a control group. Method: Twelve adult male white rabbits were equally divided into a study and control group. PLGA-formed 1-cm tubes were coated with 1:100 collagen type 1. Organoid units were isolated with full-thickness biopsies from the small intestine and were seeded onto PLGA polymer. Laparotomy was made by a midline incision and the omentum was prepared for implantation. A cell-seeded polymer tube was stented to secure the tubular structure, wrapped by the omentum, and fixed with unabsorbable sutures as the control group. Results: Five animals (83.3%) survived both in the study and control groups. Examination of cell suspension on an inverted microscope revealed that the mesenchyme cell was surrounded by epithelial cells, cuboid cells with a centrally located nucleus and large cytoplasm, forming intestinal organoid units. The ratio of viable cells was 95% before seeding on polymers. The gross appearance of the tissue showed the formation of a sufficient vascular supply and an intact tubular structure. Examination of sections obtained from the study group, stained with H+E and Masson showed polymer fibers surrounding intestinal cells, epithelial cells located on the luminal surface, and enterocytes embedded in the connective tissue. Control group sections contained fibrotic tissue around intact polymer fibers. Conclusion: TESI with orthotopic transplantation of the intestinal organoids provides a reasonable model to obtain intestinal function for the future of the procedure being investigated.
