The effects of anisodamine and dobutamine on gut mucosal blood flow during gut ischemia/reperfusion

Electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) promotes gastric emptying and mucosal blood flow during oral resuscitation of scalded rats with a pyruvate-enriched ORS

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at ST36 (EA ST36) on gastric emptying and mucosal blood flow during intragastric resuscitation with pyruvate-enriched oral rehydration solution (Pyr-ORS) in scalded rats.

METHODS

The rats were subjected to a 35% total body surface area (TBSA) of scald injury and randomly divided into five groups (N=24) and two subgroups (n=12) in each group. The Pyr-ORS was delivered intragastrically according to the Parkland formula immediately after scalding at a dose of 1 mL kg(-1) %TBSA(-1) in 1 h. In these animals, the bilateral Zusanli points (ST36) were electroacupunctured at a constant voltage (2 mA and 2-100 HZ) for 0.5 h immediately after intragastric resuscitation. At 2 and 4 h after scalding, the gastric emptying rate (GER) and gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF) were determined, and the motilin levels of the plasma and gastric tissues were also analyzed at two time points, respectively.

RESULTS

GER and GMBF were markedly decreased in groups with scalding and resuscitation, compared with the sham groups at two time points (P<0.05), but they were greatly improved in groups byEAST36 at 2 and 4 h after sustaining scald injuries (P<0.05). Bilateral vagotomy further aggravated the reduction of GER and GMBF in scalded rats. EA after gastric vagotomy failed to raise GER and GMBF. Neither EA nor vagotomy had effects on the reduced motilin levels of plasma and gastric tissues in animals after scalding.

CONCLUSION

EA ST36 has a significant effect on improving gastric emptying and mucosal ischemia in the oral resuscitation of burn injury, possibly through the activation of a cholinergic nerve-dependent mechanism. In addition, EA ST36 showed no effects on motilin levels, but requires further investigations.

Pyruvate-enriched oral rehydration solution improved intestinal absorption of water and sodium during enteral resuscitation in burns

AIM

To investigate alteration in intestinal absorption during enteral resuscitation with pyruvate-enriched oral rehydration solution (Pyr-ORS) in scalded rats.

METHODS

To compare pyruvate-enriched oral rehydration solution (Pyr-ORS) with World Health Organisation oral rehydration solution (WHO-ORS), 120 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups and 2 subgroups. At 1.5 and 4.5 h after a 35% TBSA scald, the intestinal absorption rate, mucosal blood flow (IMBF), Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) expression were determined (n = 10), respectively.

RESULTS

The intestinal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity, AQP-1 expression and IMBF were markedly decreased in scald groups, but they were profoundly preserved by enteral resuscitation with WHO-ORS and further improved significantly with Pyr-ORS at both time points. Na(+)-K+-ATPase activities remained higher in enteral resuscitation with Pyr-ORS (Group SP) than those with WHO-ORS (Group SW) at 4.5 h. AQP-1 and IMBF were significantly greater in Group SP than in Group SW at both time points. Intestinal absorption rates of water and sodium were obviously inhibited in scald groups; however, rates were also significantly preserved in Group SP than in Group SW with an over 20% increment at both time points.

CONCLUSION

The Pyr-ORS may be superior to the standard WHO-ORS in the promotion of intestinal absorption of water and sodium during enteral resuscitation.

Carbachol promotes gastrointestinal function during oral resuscitation of burn shock

AIM

To investigate the effect of carbachol on gastrointestinal function in a dog model of oral resuscitation for burn shock.

METHODS

Twenty Beagle dogs with intubation of the carotid artery, jugular vein and jejunum for 24 h were subjected to 35% total body surface area full-thickness burns, and were divided into three groups: no fluid resuscitation (NR, n = 10), in which animals did not receive fluid by any means in the first 24 h post-burn; oral fluid resuscitation (OR, n = 8), in which dogs were gavaged with glucose-electrolyte solution (GES) with volume and rate consistent with the Parkland formula; and oral fluid with carbachol group (OR/CAR, n = 8), in which dogs were gavaged with GES containing carbachol (20 μg/kg), with the same volume and rate as the OR group. Twenty-four hours after burns, all animals were given intravenous fluid replacement, and 72 h after injury, they received nutritional support. Hemodynamic and gastrointestinal parameters were measured serially with animals in conscious and cooperative state.

RESULTS

The mean arterial pressure, cardiac output and plasma volume dropped markedly, and gastrointestinal tissue perfusion was reduced obviously after the burn injury in all the three groups. Hemodynamic parameters and gastrointestinal tissue perfusion in the OR and OR/CAR groups were promoted to pre-injury level at 48 and 72 h, respectively, while hemodynamic parameters in the NR group did not return to pre-injury level till 72 h, and gastrointestinal tissue perfusion remained lower than pre-injury level until 120 h post-burn. CO(2) of the gastric mucosa and intestinal mucosa blood flow of OR/CAR groups were 56.4 ± 4.7 mmHg and 157.7 ± 17.7 blood perfusion units (BPU) at 24 h post-burn, respectively, which were significantly superior to those in the OR group (65.8 ± 5.8 mmHg and 127.7 ± 11.9 BPU, respectively, all P < 0.05). Gastric emptying and intestinal absorption rates of GES were significantly reduced to the lowest level (52.8% and 23.7% of pre-injury levels) in the OR group at about 2 and 4 h post-burn, and did not return to 80% of pre-injury level until 24 h. In the first 24 h post-burn, the rate of gastric emptying and intestinal water absorption were elevated by a mean 15.7% and 11.5%, respectively, in the OR/CAR group compared with the OR group. At 5 days, the mortality in the NR group was 30% (3/10), 12.5% in the OR group (1/8), and none in the OR/CAR group.

CONCLUSION

Carbachol had a beneficial effect on oral resuscitation of burn shock by promoting gastric emptying and intestinal absorption in our canine model.

Effect of carbachol on intestinal mucosal blood flow, activity of Na+-K+-ATPase, expression of aquaporin-1, and intestinal absorption rate during enteral resuscitation of burn shock in rats

We investigated the effect of carbachol (CAR, a cholinergic agent) on intestinal mucosal blood flow (IMBF), activity of Na-K-ATPase, expression of aquaporin (AQP)-1, and intestinal absorption rate during enteral resuscitation of a 35%TBSA scald in rats with a glucose electrolyte solution (GES). One hundred male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham scald (N group); scald without fluid resuscitation (S group); scald resuscitated with enteral GES alone (GES group); scald resuscitated with enteral CAR alone (CAR group); and scald resuscitated with enteral CAR plus GES (GES/CAR group). The rats were inflicted 35%TBSA third degree of scald injury on the back with boiling water (100 degrees C, 15 seconds) in all groups, except the sham scald group. A catheter was inserted into the proximal duodenum (5 cm distal to pylorus) and distal ileum (5 cm proximal to cecum), of each rats through laparotomy, thus a segment of intestine was virtually isolated to form a loop for inlet and outlet of introduced fluid. In N, GES, and GES/CAR groups, fluids were introduced 30 minutes after scald injury. The speed of fluid infusion was 4 ml/kg/1%TBSA for 4 hours. CAR (60 microg/kg) was injected into the intestinal lumen at 30-minute after injury in CAR and GES/CAR groups. At 2 and 4 hours after scald, intestinal absorption rate of water and Na, and IMBF were determined, respectively. Then, animals were killed, and specimens of intestinal tissue were obtained for the determination of the activity of Na-K-ATPase, hematoxylin-eosin coloring, and expression of AQP-1. The intestinal absorption rate was reduced markedly in GES group compared with sham scald group at 2 and 4 hours after scald, and absorption rate of small intestine in GES/CAR was significantly higher than that in GES group (P < .05). It was also found that there was significant decrease in IMBF, activity of Na-K-ATPase, and expression of AQP-1 in scald group compared with the sham group. However, in GES/CAR group, the levels of these parameters were significantly increased compared with scald groups (P < .05). The results indicate that CAR promotes intestinal absorption rate of water and Na by improving IMBF, ATPase activity, and AQP-1 expression in gut mucosa during resuscitation with enteral GES of burn shock in rats.

“Systemic apoptotic response” after thermal burns

The systemic pathophysiologic changes following thermal injuries affect multiple organs and body systems leading to clinical manifestations including shock, intestinal alterations, respiratory and renal failure, immunosuppression and others. Recent advances in the comprehension of mechanisms underlying systemic complications of thermal injuries have contributed to uncover part of the cellular and molecular basis that underlie such changes. Recently, programmed cell death (apoptosis) has been considered playing an important role in the development of such pathological events. Therefore, investigators utilizing animal models and clinical studies involving human primates have produced a large body of information suggesting that apoptosis is associated with most of the tissue damages triggered by severe thermal injuries. In order to draw the attention on the important role of apoptosis on systemic complications of thermal injuries, in this review we describe most of these studies, discuss possible cellular and molecular mechanisms and indicate ways to utilize them for the development of therapeutic strategies by which apoptosis may be prevented or counteracted.

Levosimendan is superior to milrinone and dobutamine in selectively increasing microvascular gastric mucosal oxygenation in dogs*

OBJECTIVE

The effect of levosimendan, a novel inotropic vasodilator (inodilator), on the microvascular gastric mucosal hemoglobin oxygenation (muHbo(2)) is unknown. A possible effect could thereby be selective for the splanchnic region or could primarily reflect changes in systemic oxygen transport (Do(2)) and/or oxygen consumption (Vo(2). We compared systemic and regional effects of levosimendan with those of established inotropes, milrinone and dobutamine.

DESIGN

Laboratory experiment.

SETTING

University animal research laboratory of experimental anesthesiology.

SUBJECTS

Chronically instrumented dogs with flow probes for cardiac output measurement.

INTERVENTIONS

Anesthetized, mechanically ventilated dogs (each group n = 6) on different days randomly received levosimendan (10 microg.kg, followed by four infusion steps: 0.125-1.0 microg.kg.min), milrinone (5.0 microg.kg, followed by 1.25-10 microg.kg.min), or dobutamine (2.5-10.0 microg.kg.min). Since these drugs may modify regional or systemic responses to fluid load, an additional predefined volume challenge was subsequently performed with hydroxyethyl starch 6% (10 mL.kg).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We measured muHbo(2) (reflectance spectrophotometry), Do(2), Vo(2), and systemic hemodynamics. Levosimendan significantly increased muHbo(2) from baseline (approximately 55% for all groups) to 64 +/- 4% and further to 69 +/- 2% with volume challenge (mean +/- sem). At the systemic level, levosimendan alone only slightly increased Do(2) at a Vo(2). Milrinone elicited similar systemic effects (Do(2), Vo(2), hemodynamics) but failed to increase muHbo(2). Dobutamine, conversely, increased muHbo(2) to a similar extent as levosimendan; however, this was accompanied by marked increases in Do(2) and Vo(2). The gastric mucosa selectivity of these interventions, expressed as slope of the muHbo(2)/Do2 relation, was highest for levosimendan (+1.89 and +1.14, without and with volume challenge), compared with milrinone (+0.45 and + 0.47) and dobutamine (+0.48 and + 0.33).

CONCLUSIONS

Levosimendan is superior to milrinone (no significant regional effects) and dobutamine (marked systemic effects) in increasing gastric mucosal oxygenation selectively (i.e., at only moderately increased Do(2) and stable Vo(2). If our experimental data apply to the clinical setting, levosimendan may serve as an option to selectively increase gastrointestinal mucosa oxygenation in patients at risk to develop splanchnic ischemia.

Effect of Dansen on gastric mucosal Na+-K+-ATPase activity and gastric transmucosal potential difference during severe intraperitoneal infection in rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of Dansen on gastric mucosal Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity and gastric transmucosal potential difference during severe intraperitoneal infection in rats.

METHODS: The intraperitoneal infection rat model was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Assay of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity in gastric mucosal tissue was conducted by biochemical method. The electric-physiological recorder was used to measure gastric mucosal potential difference.

RESULTS: The activity of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase was markedly decreased in infected group at 3h after perforation, compared with the control group (P = 0.0 271 < 0.05). There was a minimum of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity at 12h post-perforation in infected group (P = 0.0 062 < 0.01), only about 48.5% matched to the control group. Gastric transmucosal potential difference (GTPD) of infected group decreased significantly as compared with the control group (P = 0.0 253 < 0.05) at 6h after perforation, and rapidly dropped to the lowest at 12 h post-perforation (P = 0.0 025 < 0.01). At 12 h and 24 h after perforation, GTPD was lower in infected group than that in the control group (P = 0.0 293 < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The reduce of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity may play an important role in gastric mucosal barrier damage following severe abdominal infection induced by CLP, and the application of Dansen in earlier period can prevent the occurrence of stress ulcer.

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Dose-dependent effects of ethyl pyruvate in mice subjected to mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion

OBJECTIVE

We previously showed that infusing rats with a solution of ethyl pyruvate ameliorates intestinal mucosal injury after mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion. Ethyl pyruvate also has been shown to inhibit the expression of various pro-inflammatory cytokines in several animal models of critical illness, but dose-response relationships have not been investigated.

DESIGN

Anesthetized C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 60 min of mesenteric ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. After 55 min of ischemia, groups of mice were treated with normal saline or graded bolus doses of ethyl pyruvate dissolved in a calcium-containing balanced salt solution. Some animals (i.e., those in the sham group) were subjected to the anesthetic, but not mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion. Gut mucosal permeability was assessed using an everted gut sac technique.

SETTING

University research laboratory.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion significantly increased ileal mucosal permeability to the hydrophilic macromolecule, fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (molecular mass 4,000 Da). Whereas the lowest dose of ethyl pyruvate evaluated (17 mg/kg) had no effect on gut mucosal permeability, the two highest doses tested (50 and 150 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated the development of ischemia/reperfusion-induced mucosal hyperpermeability to about the same extent. The two highest doses of ethyl pyruvate also significantly ameliorated deficits in ileal serosal and mucosal and hepatic surface microvascular perfusion induced by mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion. Ethyl pyruvate inhibited post-ischemia/reperfusion hepatic NF-kappaB activation and TNF mRNA expression in a dose-dependent fashion.

CONCLUSION

Doses of ethyl pyruvate equal to or greater than 50 mg/kg ameliorate inflammation, microvascular hypoperfusion and gut mucosal damage induced by mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion in mice.

Changes of microvascular architecture, ultrastructure and permeability of rat jejunal villi at different ages

AIM: To investigate the changes of microvascular architecture, ultrastructure and permeability of rat jejunal villi at different ages.

METHODS: Microvascular corrosion casting, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Evans blue infiltration technique were used in this study.

RESULTS: The intestinal villous plexus of adult rats consisted of arterioles, capillary network and venules. The marginal capillary extended to the base part of the villi and connected to the capillary networks of adjacent villi. In newborn rats, the villous plexus was rather simple, and capillary network was not formed. The villous plexus became cone-shaped and was closely arrayed in ablactation rats. In adult rats, the villous plexus became tongue-shaped and was enlarged both in height and width. In aged rats, the villous plexus shrank in volume and became shorter and narrower. The diametral ratio of villous arteriole to villous venule increased as animals became older. The number of endothelial holes, the thickness of basal membrane and the permeability of microvasculature were increased over the entire course of development from newborn period to aged period.

CONCLUSION: The digestive and absorptive functions of the rat jejunum at different ages are highly dependent upon the state of villous microvascular architecture and permeability, and blood circulation is enhanced by collateral branches such as marginal capillary, through which blood is drained to the capillary networks of adjacent villi.

Effect of N-desulfated heparin on hepatic/renal ischemia reperfusion injury in rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of N-desulfated heparin on hepatic/renal ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats.

METHODS: Using rat models of 60 min hepatic or renal ischemia followed by 1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 24 h reperfusion, animals were randomly divided into following groups, the sham operated controls, ischemic group receiving only normal saline, and treated group receiving N-desulfated heparin at a dose of 12 mg/kg at 5 min before reperfusion. P-selectin expression was detected in hepatic/renal tissues with immunohistochemistry method.

RESULTS: P-selectin expression, serum ALT, AST, BUN and Cr levels were significantly increased during 60 minute ischemia and 1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 24 h reperfusion, while the increment was significantly inhibited, and hepatic/renal pathology observed by light microscopy was remarkably improved by treatment with the N-desulfated heparin. Furthermore, the heparin was found no effects on PT and KPTT.

CONCLUSION: P-selectin might mediate neutrophil infiltration and contribute to hepatic/renal ischemia and reperfusion. The N-desulfated heparin might prevent hepatic/renal damage induced by ischemia and reperfusion injury without significant anticoagulant activity.