Abstract: ObjectiveTo observe the expression of mucin-1 (MUC1) and mucin-2 (MUC2) in intestinal tissue of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). MethodsThis is a case-control study. Ten intestinal tissue samples of neonates with NEC at Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were selected randomly as NEC group and their general clinical data were collected. Neonates with congenital intestinal atresia were matched 1∶1 with NEC group mainly based on gestational age and day of disease onset. All the samples were tested by HE-staining and immunohistochemistry methods. ResultsThe structure of intestinal tissue with NEC was significantly different from that in the control group. The former was mainly demonstrated as rupture of the integrity of intestinal tissue. Expression levels of MUC1 and MUC2 in intestinal tissue of neonatal NEC were both significantly decreased compared with the controls (statistically analyzed by integrated optical density, IOD). The median of MUC1 IOD was 780 455.5 in NEC group, and 19 175 070.4 in the control group, P=0.004. The median of MUC2 IOD was 3 039 120 in NEC group, and 45 750 707.5 in the control group, P=0.001. ConclusionMUC1 and MUC2 were key elements of intestinal mucosal barrier and may take part in the pathogenesis of NEC.