Effect of simvastatin on intestinal recovery following gut ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat

Rosuvastatin enhances alterations caused by Toxoplasma gondii in the duodenum of mice

Infection by Toxoplasma gondii may compromise the intestinal histoarchitecture through the tissue reaction triggered by the parasite. Thus, this study evaluated whether treatment with rosuvastatin modifies duodenal changes caused by the chronic infection induced by cysts of T. gondii. For this, female Swiss mice were distributed into infected and treated group (ITG), infected group (IG), group treated with 40 mg/kg rosuvastatin (TG) and control group (CG). After 72 days of infection, the animals were euthanized, the duodenum was collected and processed for histopathological analysis. We observed an increase in immune cell infiltration in the IG, TG and ITG groups, with injury to the Brunner glands. The infection led to a reduction in collagen fibers and mast cells. Infected and treated animals showed an increase in collagen fibers, acidic mucin-producing goblet cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes and mast cells, in addition to the reduction of muscle, neutral mucin-producing and Paneth cells. While treatment with rosuvastatin alone led to increased muscle layer, proportion of neutral mucin-producing goblet cells, Paneth cells, and reduction of collagen fibers. These findings indicate that the infection and treatment caused changes in the homeostasis of the intestinal wall and treatment with rosuvastatin potentiated most parameters indicative of inflammation.

Simvastatin protects against intestinal ischemia/reperfusion-induced pulmonary artery dysfunction

AIMS

The lung is an important target organ damage in intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (II/R), but mechanisms involved in II/R-induced pulmonary artery (PA) dysfunction, as well as its treatment, are not clear. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms involved in the II/R-induced PA dysfunction and a possible protective role of acute simvastatin pretreatment.

MAIN METHODS

Male Wistar rats were subjected to occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for 45 min followed by 2 h reperfusion (II/R) or sham-operated surgery (sham). In some rats, simvastatin (20 mg/kg, oral gavage) was administrated 1 h before II/R.

KEY FINDINGS

II/R reduced acetylcholine-induced relaxation and phenylephrine-induced contraction of PA segments, which were prevented by acute simvastatin pretreatment in vivo or restored by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibition in situ with 1400 W. Elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and higher nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) subunit p65 were observed in PA of II/R rats and prevented by simvastatin. Moreover, simvastatin increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in PA of the II/R group as well as prevented the increased levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in lung explants following II/R.

SIGNIFICANCE

The study suggests that pretreatment with a single dose of simvastatin prevents the II/R-induced increase of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress, as well as PA endothelial dysfunction and adrenergic hyporreactivity. Therefore, acute simvastatin administration could be therapeutic for pulmonary vascular disease in patients suffering from intestinal ischemic events.

Cell death induction (extrinsic versus intrinsic apoptotic pathway) by intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats is time-depended

PURPOSE

We investigate the mechanism of intestinal cell apoptosis and its relation to the time of reperfusion in a rat model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR).

METHODS

Rats were divided into 4 groups: Sham-24 and Sham-48 rats underwent laparotomy without an intentional ischemic intervention and were sacrificed 24 or 48 h hours later; IR-24 and IR-48 rats underwent occlusion of SMA and portal vein for 20 min followed by 24 or 48 h of reperfusion, respectively. Park's injury score, cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined at sacrifice. Proliferation and apoptosis-related gene and protein expression were determined using Real-Time PCR, Western Blot and Immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

IR-24 rats demonstrated a strong increase in cell apoptosis along with an elevated Bax and decreased Bcl-2 expression and a decrease in cell proliferation (vs Sham-24). IR-48 group showed an increase in cell proliferation and a decrease in cell apoptosis compared to IR-24 animals. IR-48 rats demonstrated an increase in apoptotic rate that was accompanied by greater TNF-α mRNA, Fas mRNA and FasL mRNA compared to Sham-48 animals.

CONCLUSION

While cell apoptosis in IR-24 rats is regulated mainly by intrinsic apoptotic pathway, 48 h followed ischemia extrinsic apoptotic pathway is responsible for pro-apoptotic effects of IR injury.

Simvastatin Alleviates Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Modulating Omi/HtrA2 Signaling Pathways

PURPOSE

The objective of this research was to survey the therapeutic action of simvastatin (Sim) on intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury (II/RI) by modulating Omi/HtrA2 signaling pathways.

METHODS

Sprague Dawley rats were pretreated with 40 mg/kg Sim and then subjected to 1 hour of ischemia and 3 hours of reperfusion. The blood and intestinal tissues were collected, pathologic injury was observed, the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were estimated, and superoxide dismutase, methane dicarboxylic aldehyde, and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (caspase-3) levels, as well as the expressions of Omi/HtrA2 and caspase-3, were measured in the intestinal tissues.

RESULTS

Sim preconditioning mitigated the damnification of intestinal tissues by decreasing oxidative stress, inflammatory damage, and apoptosis and downregulating the expression of Omi/HtrA2 compared to the ischemia/reperfusion group, while Sim+Ucf-101 significantly augmented this effect.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that Sim may alleviate intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury by modulating Omi/HtrA2 signaling pathways.

The protective role of IL-1Ra on intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury by anti-oxidative stress via Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in rat

Background

Intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury is a frequent clinical damage, in which the oxidative stress and inflammation play an important role. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is a natural anti-inflammatory factor, however, its effect on intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury remains unclear.

Methods

The rat model of intestinal I/R was induced by occlusion (for 60 min) and reopening (for 60 min) of superior mesenteric artery. The rats were randomly divided into the following 5 groups: sham-operation(S), model (I/R),10 mg/kgIL-1Ra + I/R (C1),20 mg/kgIL-1Ra + I/R (C2), and30 mg/kgIL-1Ra + I/R (C3).

Results

In this study it was the first time to confirm that IL-1Ra had a significant protection against the intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury. IL-1Ra not only effectively inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors (such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and the activation of neutrophil in intestinal tissues, but also decreased the death of intestinal cells and the damages of intestinal tissues. Interestingly, besides anti-inflammation effect, it was also found that IL-1Ra possessed a significant inhibitory effect on the oxidative stress caused by ischemia/reperfusion injury. Furthermore, the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), and the phosphorylation level of Nrf2 were greatly promoted by IL-1Ra. At the same time, IL-1Ra inhibited the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) pathway.

Conclusion

IL-1Ra had the protective effect against intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury, its mechanism included anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress in which the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway played an important role. The above-mentioned results may extend the clinical application of IL-1Ra in the treatment of intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury.

The attenuation of neurological injury from the use of simvastatin after spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Background

Spinal cord ischemic injury remains a serious complication of open surgical and endovascular aortic procedures. Simvastatin has been reported to be associated with neuroprotective effect after spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of starting simvastatin after spinal cord IR injury in a rat model.

Methods

In adult Sprague-Dawley rats, spinal cord ischemia was induced using a balloon-tipped catheter placed in the descending thoracic aorta. The animals were then randomly divided into 4 groups: group A (control); group B (0.5 mg/kg simvastatin); group C (1 mg/kg simvastatin); and group D (10 mg/kg simvastatin). Simvastatin was administered orally upon reperfusion for 5 days. Neurological function of the hind limbs was evaluated for 7 days after reperfusion and recorded using a motor deficit score (MDS) (0: normal, 5: complete paraplegia). The number of normal motor neurons within the anterior horns of the spinal cord was counted after final MDS evaluation. Then, the spinal cord was harvested for histopathological examination.

Results

Group D showed a significantly lower MDS than the other groups at post-reperfusion day 1 and this trend was sustained throughout the study period. Additionally, a greater number of normal motor neurons was observed in group D than in other groups (group D 21.2 [3.2] vs. group A: 15.8 [4.2]; group B 15.4 [3.4]; and group C 15.5 [3.7]; P = 0.002).

Conclusions

The results of the current study suggest that 10 mg/kg can significantly improve neurologic outcome by attenuating neurologic injury and restoring normal motor neurons after spinal cord IR injury.

Biochemical targets of drugs mitigating oxidative stress via redox-independent mechanisms

Acute or chronic oxidative stress plays an important role in many pathologies. Two opposite approaches are typically used to prevent the damage induced by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), namely treatment either with antioxidants or with weak oxidants that up-regulate endogenous antioxidant mechanisms. This review discusses options for the third pharmacological approach, namely amelioration of oxidative stress by 'redox-inert' compounds, which do not inactivate RONS but either inhibit the basic mechanisms leading to their formation (i.e. inflammation) or help cells to cope with their toxic action. The present study describes biochemical targets of many drugs mitigating acute oxidative stress in animal models of ischemia-reperfusion injury or N-acetyl-p-aminophenol overdose. In addition to the pro-inflammatory molecules, the targets of mitigating drugs include protein kinases and transcription factors involved in regulation of energy metabolism and cell life/death balance, proteins regulating mitochondrial permeability transition, proteins involved in the endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response, nuclear receptors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, and isoprenoid synthesis. The data may help in identification of oxidative stress mitigators that will be effective in human disease on top of the current standard of care.

Simvastatin nanoparticles attenuated intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury by downregulating BMP4/COX-2 pathway in rats

The purpose of the research was to explore the therapeutic action of simvastatin-loaded poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(gamma-benzyl l-glutamate) (PEG-b-PBLG₅₀) on intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury (II/RI) through downregulating bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4)/cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathway as compared to free simvastatin (Sim). Sprague Dawley rats were preconditioned with 20 mg/kg Sim or simvastatin/PEG-b-PBLG₅₀ (Sim/P) compounds, and then subjected to 45 min of ischemia and 1 h of reperfusion. The blood and small intestines were collected, serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α, and nitric oxide (NO) were checked, and the dry/wet intestine ratios, superoxide dismutase activity, myeloperoxidase content, reactive oxygen species, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, protein 47 kDa phagocyte oxidase (p47phox), BMP4, COX-2, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) expressions were measured in intestinal tissues. Both Sim and Sim/P pretreatment reduced intestinal oxidative damnification, restricted inflammatory harm, and downregulated the BMP4 and COX-2 expressions as compared to II/RI groups, while Sim/P remarkably improved this effect.

Perioperative Simvastatin Therapy in Major Colorectal Surgery: A Prospective, Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Statins have numerous potential benefits relevant to abdominal surgery, and their use has been associated with a reduction in the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, wound infection, and anastomotic leak after colorectal surgery. However, this clinical evidence is limited to retrospective studies. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate whether perioperative statin therapy can decrease the incidence of complications after major colorectal surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective, double-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted at 3 tertiary hospitals in New Zealand, between October 2011 and August 2013. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection for any indication or reversal of Hartmann's procedure were randomized with a 1:1 patient allocation ratio to receive either 40 mg oral simvastatin or placebo once daily for 3 to 7 days preoperatively until 14 days postoperatively. The primary outcome was the overall incidence of complications for 30 days postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the systemic and peritoneal cytokine response (interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]α) on postoperative day 1.

RESULTS

There were 132 patients included in the study (65 simvastatin, 67 placebo). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups at baseline with regard to patient, operation, and disease characteristics. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the incidence, grade, and type of postoperative complications (simvastatin: 44 [68%] vs placebo: 50 [75%], odds ratio 0.71 [95% CI 0.33 to 1.52], p = 0.444). Plasma concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα, and peritoneal concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8, were significantly lower in the simvastatin group postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative simvastatin therapy in major colorectal surgery attenuates the early proinflammatory response to surgery, but there were no differences in postoperative complications.

Effect of ozone on intestinal recovery following intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat

BACKGROUND

Growing evidence suggests that ozone (O3) protects the host against pathological conditions mediated by reactive oxygen species by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of O3 on intestinal recovery and enterocyte turnover after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four experimental groups: (1) sham rats underwent laparotomy; (2) sham-O3 rats underwent laparotomy and were treated with an ozone/oxygen mixture intraperitoneally and intraluminally (50 %/50 %); (3) IR rats underwent occlusion of both superior mesenteric artery and portal vein for 20 min followed by 48 h of reperfusion, and (4) IR-O3 rats underwent IR and were treated with an ozone/oxygen mixture similar to group 2. Intestinal structural changes, Park's injury score, enterocyte proliferation and enterocyte apoptosis were determined 48 h following IR. Western blot was used to determine ERK and Bax protein levels. A non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Treatment of IR rats with O3 resulted in a significant increase in mucosal weight in jejunum (70 %) and ileum (32 %), mucosal DNA (twofold increase) and protein (35 %) in ileum, villus height and crypt depth in jejunum (61 and 16 %, correspondingly) and ileum (31 and 43 %, correspondingly) compared to IR animals. IR-O3 rats also had a significantly lower intestinal injury score as well as a lower apoptotic index in jejunum and ileum compared and IR animals. A significant increase in cell proliferation rates in IR-O3 animals was accompanied by increased levels of p-ERK protein.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with ozone prevents intestinal mucosal damage, stimulates cell proliferation and inhibits programmed cell death following intestinal IR in a rat.

Antiapoptotic effect of simvastatin ameliorates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Background. Myocardial ischemial reperfusion represents a clinically relevant problem associated with thrombolysis, angioplasty, and coronary bypass surgery. Injury of myocardium due to ischemial reperfusion includes cardiac contractile dysfunction, arrhythmias, and irreversible myocytes damage. These changes are considered to be the consequence of imbalance between the formation of oxidants and the availability of endogenous antioxidants in the heart. Objective. This study was undertaken to investigate the potential role of Simvastatin in the amelioration of myocardial I/R injury induced by ligation of coronary artery in a rat model. Materials and Methods. Adult male Swiss Albino rats were randomized into 4 equal groups. Group (1): sham group: rats underwent the same anesthetic and surgical procedures as those in the control group except ligation of LAD coronary artery, group (2): control group: rats were subjected to regional ischemia for 25 min and reperfusion for 2 hours by ligation of LAD coronary artery, group (3): control vehicle group: rats received vehicle of Simvastatin (normal saline) via IP injection and were subjected to regional ischemia for 25 min and reperfusion for 2 hours by ligation of LAD coronary artery, group (4): Simvastatin treated group: rats were pretreated with Simvastatin 1 mg/kg i.p. 1 hr before ligation of LAD coronary artery. At the end of experiment (2 hr of reperfusion), blood samples were collected from the heart for the measurement of plasma level of cardiac troponin I (cTnI). After that the heart was harvested and divided into 3 parts; one part was used for measurement of apoptosis, another part was homogenized for the measurement of tissue tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α ), interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β ), interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 α , and the last part for histopathology study. Results. Compared with the sham group, levels of myocardial TNF- α and IL-1 β , IL-6, MCP-1, and MIP-1 α and plasma cTnI were increased (P < 0.05). Histologically, all rats in control group showed significant (P < 0.05) cardiac injury. Furthermore, all rats in control group showed significant (P < 0.05) apoptosis. Simvastatin significantly counteracted the increase in myocardium level of TNF- α , IL-1B, IL-6, MCP-1 and MIP-1 α , plasma cTnI, and apoptosis (P < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed that Simvastatin markedly reduced (P < 0.05) the severity of heart injury in the rats that underwent LAD ligation procedure. Conclusions. The results of the present study reveal that Simvastatin may ameliorate myocardial I/R injury in rats via interfering with inflammatory reactions and apoptosis which were induced by I/R injury.

Association of pre-transplant statin use with delayed graft function in kidney transplant recipients

Background

Administration of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), prior to ischemia or prior to reperfusion has been shown to decrease ischemia-reperfusion renal injury in animal studies. It is unknown whether this protective effect is applicable to renal transplantation in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between prior statin use in renal transplant recipients and the subsequent risk of delayed graft function.

Methods

All patients who underwent deceased or living donor renal transplantation at the Princess Alexandra Hospital between 1 July 2008 and 1 August 2010 were included in this retrospective, observational cohort study. Graft function was classified as immediate graft function (IGF), dialysis-requiring (D-DGF) and non-dialysis-requiring (ND-DGF) delayed graft function. The independent predictors of graft function were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for donor characteristics, recipient characteristics, HLA mismatch and ischaemic times.

Results

Overall, of the 266 renal transplant recipients, 21% exhibited D-DGF, 39% had ND-DGF and 40% had IGF. Statin use prior to renal transplantation was not significantly associated with the risk of D-DGF (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.05, 95% CI 0.96 – 1.15, P = 0.28). This finding was not altered when D-DGF and ND-DGF were pooled together (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.89-1.06, p = 0.56).

Conclusions

The present study did not show a significant, independent association between prior statin use in kidney transplant recipients and the occurrence of delayed graft function.

Effect of pretreatment with simvastatin on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pretreatment effect of simvastatin on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury.

DESIGN

Prospective, interventional study.

SETTING

University research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats.

INTERVENTIONS

Rats were treated with oral simvastatin, 10 mg/kg (simvastatin group; n = 15) or saline (control group; n = 15) for 5 days before ischemia. Spinal cord ischemia was induced using a balloon-tipped catheter placed in the proximal descending aorta in the control and simvastatin groups, but not in the sham group (n = 15).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Neurologic function was assessed daily using the motor deficit index until 7 days after reperfusion. After the last neurologic evaluation, a histologic examination of the spinal cord was performed. At day 1 after reperfusion, the simvastatin group showed a significantly lower motor deficit index compared with the control group (2.0, 2.0-2.0, v 4.0, 3.5-5.0; p < 0.001). This trend was sustained at day 7 (2.0, 1.5-2.0, v 4.0, 3.0-4.0; p < 0.001). The simvastatin group displayed a significantly larger number of normal motor neurons compared with the control group (mean ± SD, 31.7 ± 6.1 v 20.4 ± 4.4; p < 0.001). However, compared with the sham group, the simvastatin group displayed fewer intact motor neurons (sham group, 38.5 ± 5.1; p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Pretreatment with simvastatin, 10 mg/kg, given orally for 5 days before the ischemia-reperfusion insult, improved the neurologic outcome and preserved more normal motor neurons compared with the control group in a rat model of spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion.

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion: microcirculatory pathology and functional consequences

BACKGROUND

Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) is a challenging and life-threatening clinical problem with diverse causes. The delay in diagnosis and treatment contributes to the continued high in-hospital mortality rate.

RESULTS

Experimental research during the last decades could demonstrate that microcirculatory dysfunctions are determinants for the manifestation and propagation of intestinal I/R injury. Key features are nutritive perfusion failure, inflammatory cell response, mediator surge and breakdown of the epithelial barrier function with bacterial translocation, and development of a systemic inflammatory response. This review provides novel insight into the basic mechanisms of damaged intestinal microcirculation and covers therapeutic targets to attenuate intestinal I/R injury.

CONCLUSION

The opportunity now exists to apply this insight into the translation of experimental data to clinical trial-based research. Understanding the basic events triggered by intestinal I/R may offer new diagnostic and therapeutic options in order to achieve improved outcome of patients with intestinal I/R injury.

Ischemic post-conditioning to counteract intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury

Intestinal ischemia is a severe disorder with a variety of causes. Reperfusion is a common occurrence during treatment of acute intestinal ischemia but the injury resulting from ischemia/reperfusion (IR) may lead to even more serious complications from intestinal atrophy to multiple organ failure and death. The susceptibility of the intestine to IR-induced injury (IRI) appears from various experimental studies and clinical settings such as cardiac and major vascular surgery and organ transplantation. Whereas oxygen free radicals, activation of leukocytes, failure of microvascular perfusion, cellular acidosis and disturbance of intracellular homeostasis have been implicated as important factors in the pathogenesis of intestinal IRI, the mechanisms underlying this disorder are not well known. To date, increasing attention is being paid in animal studies to potential pre- and post-ischemia treatments that protect against intestinal IRI such as drug interference with IR-induced apoptosis and inflammation processes and ischemic pre-conditioning. However, better insight is needed into the molecular and cellular events associated with reperfusion-induced damage to develop effective clinical protection protocols to combat this disorder. In this respect, the use of ischemic post-conditioning in combination with experimentally prolonged acidosis blocking deleterious reperfusion actions may turn out to have particular clinical relevance.

Hydrogen sulfide attenuates intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury when delivered in the post-ischemic period

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To investigate whether pharmacologic post-conditioning of intestinal tissue with hydrogen sulfide (HS) protects against ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI).

METHODS

In vitro, enterocytes were made hypoxic for 1, 2, or 3 h, treated with media containing between 0 and 100 µM HS 20 min prior to the end of the hypoxic period, then returned to normoxia for 3 h. An apoptotic index (AI) was determined for each time point and (HS). In vivo, jejunal ischemia was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats for 1, 2, or 3 h; 20 min prior to the end of the ischemic period animals were given an intravenous injection of NaHS sufficient to raise the bloodstream concentration to 0, 10 µM, or 100 µM HS. This was followed by jejunal reperfusion for 3 h, histologic processing, and measurement of villus height.

RESULTS

In vitro, there was a significant decrease in AI compared with non-HS-treated control at all time points after treatment with 10 µM HS, and at the 2 h time point with 100 µM HS (P < 0.017). In vivo, after 1 h ischemia, qualitative reduction of injury was noted with 10 µM and 100 µM; after 2 h ischemia, reduction was noted with 10 µM but not 100 µM; and after 3 h ischemia, there was no injury reduction. HS treatment resulted in significant quantitative preservation (P < 0.05) of villus height at all time points and doses, except for 3 h ischemia and delivery of 100 µM (P = 0.129).

CONCLUSIONS

Hydrogen sulfide provides significant protection to intestinal tissues in vitro and in vivo when delivered after the onset of ischemia.