The intestinal epithelium is a complex tissue that lines the inside of the intestines. It is responsible for absorbing nutrients, secreting mucus, and protecting the body from harmful substances. The epithelium is also constantly folding and moving, which helps to mix food and move it through the intestines.

How the intestinal epithelium folds and moves has been a mystery for many years. However, a team of researchers from the University of California, San Diego, has recently made a breakthrough. By measuring the forces that act on the epithelium, they were able to determine how the tissue folds and moves.

The researchers used a technique called atomic force microscopy to measure the forces that act on the epithelium. Atomic force microscopy is a scanning probe technique that uses a sharp probe to measure the forces between two surfaces.

The researchers found that the forces that act on the epithelium are very small, on the order of nanonewtons. These forces are generated by the movement of the muscles in the intestines, the flow of food, and the secretion of mucus.

The researchers also found that the epithelium is very elastic, which allows it to fold and move easily. The elasticity of the epithelium is due to the presence of a protein called collagen.

The researchers' findings provide new insights into the function of the intestinal epithelium. By understanding how the epithelium folds and moves, we can better understand how the intestines absorb nutrients and protect the body from harmful substances.

The researchers' findings could also lead to new treatments for intestinal diseases. For example, drugs could be developed that target the forces that act on the epithelium, which could help to prevent or treat intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Source:

* "How the intestinal epithelium folds and moves: Researchers measure forces to reveal mechanism." Science Daily. ScienceDaily, 23 November 2022. .