Rafailidis S, Demertzidis C, Ballas K, Alatsakis M, Symeonidis N, Pavlidis T, Psarras K, Tzioufa-Asimakopoulou V, Sakadamis A. Effect of early propranolol administration on portal hypertensive gastropathy in cirrhotic rats.
World J Gastroenterol 2009;
15:4284-9. [PMID:
19750571 PMCID:
PMC2744184 DOI:
10.3748/wjg.15.4284]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2009] [Revised: 08/12/2009] [Accepted: 08/19/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM
To investigate any protective effect of early propranolol administration in the development of portal hypertensive gastropathy in cirrhotic rats.
METHODS
For the development of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertensive gastropathy, 60 rats underwent ligation of the left adrenal vein and complete devascularization of the left renal vein, followed by phenobarbital and carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) administration. After two weeks of CCl(4) administration, the rats were randomly separated into two groups. In group A, propranolol was continuously administered intragastrically throughout the study, whereas in group B normal saline (placebo) was administered instead. Hemodynamic studies and vascular morphometric analysis of gastric sections were performed after complete induction of cirrhosis.
RESULTS
Vascular morphometric studies showed higher numbers of vessels in all mucosal layers in the control group. Statistical analysis revealed a significantly higher total vascular surface in the control group compared to the propranolol group, but with no statistically significant difference between the mean vascular surfaces between the groups. Our study clearly shows that the increased mucosal blood flow is manifested by a marked increase of vessel count.
CONCLUSION
Early propranolol's administration in portal hypertensive cirrhotic rats seems to prevent intense gastric vascular congestion that characterizes portal hypertensive gastropathy.
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