Protective effects of growth hormone on bacterial translocation and intestinal damage in rats with partial intestinal obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: One of the reasons of bacterial translocation (BT) is the complete or partial intestinal obstructions (PIO) of the gastrointestinal system. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of recombinant human Growth Hormone (rhGH) on BT in rats with partial intestinal obstruction (PIO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into the 4 groups: Group I: Sham-operated (SO) (n = 12), Group II control PIO (n = 12), Group III: PIO with rhGH treatment for 5 days (n = 12), Group IV: PIO with rhGH treatment 5 days before PIO and 5 days after PIO (a total of 10 days) (n = 12). In the groups III and IV, the effects of 5 and 10 days administered rhGH were examined. RESULTS: The level of serum and of intestinal fluid IgA was significantly higher in the Group IV compared to the Group I, Group II and Group III. In the Group IV, the number of small intestinal goblet and colonic goblet cells, and the lengths of intestinal mucosal villi and crypt depths were statistically significantly higher than in Groups II and III. The rate of bacterial translocation was higher in the Group II: 100 % in MLNs, 41.6 % in blood culture and 50.8 % in the liver cultures, it was significantly higher compared to the other groups (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The study results demonstrated that administration of rhGH to the rats with PIO for at least 10 days decreased bacterial translocation (Fig. 3, Ref. 25).

Amyand's hernia: a series of 30 cases in children.

Amyand's hernia is a very rare condition with a presence of a vermiform appendix in an inguinal hernia sac. It is estimated to be found in approximately 1% of adult inguinal hernia. In this study, we report a retrospective analysis of 30 patients aged between 19 days and 8 years with an Amyand's hernia operated in our institution from 1998 to 2009, and we reviewed the literature on the topic. Hernia repair without an appendectomy was performed in patients with normal appendix. Emergency appendectomy through herniotomy was performed in cases of inflamed and perforated appendices.

Functional innervation of the isolated bowel segment.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate whether there might be an eventual change in the enteric nerve responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) of the isolated bowel segment (IBS) created by omentoenteropexy. METHODS: In the experimental group, an IBS was created in 10 rats using the omentum as the host organ by dividing of its mesentery 4 weeks later. In the control group, a jejunal loop of identical site and length to the IBS was studied in another 10 rats as normal jejunal segment. Longitudinal muscle strips were prepared from the IBSs (n 20) and the normal jejunal segments (n = 20). The effects of atropine, tetrodotoxin, L-arginine, and L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on the responses to transmural EFS were examined in both the IBS and normal jejunal segment using the isometric tension recording technique. RESULTS: Transmural EFS of the IBS strips produced contractile responses. Atropine and tetrodotoxin abolished the EFS-induced contractions of the IBS. Moreover, EFS-induced contractions were increased by the application of L-NAME, and were decreased by the application of L-arginine in the IBS. Mean percent change of IBS's contraction was not found statistically different from mean percent change of normal jejunal segment's contraction on the effects of L-NAME and L-arginine. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the IBS, created by omentoenteropexy, produced enteric nerve responses to EFS as seen as in normal jejunal segment.

Reactive oxygen radical levels in caustic esophageal burns.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the tissue levels of reactive oxygen radicals in caustic esophageal burns in a rat model. METHODS: Forty rats were divided into four groups of 10 animals each. The control rats were uninjured in group A, and the others were injured rats in groups B, C, and D. Through a median laparatomy incision, a 1.5-cm abdominal esophageal segment was isolated and tied with 2-0 chromic sutures in all groups as described by Gehanno. One milliliter of 10% sodium hydroxide solution in groups B, C, and D and 0.9% saline solution in group A were instilled through the isolated segment via a no. 24 cannula for 3 minutes, then the esophagus was rinsed for 1 minute with distilled water. The studied 1.5 cm of the abdominal esophagus was removed from each animal 24 hours after caustic injury in group B, 48 hours after in group C, and 72 hours after in group D. In group A, studied uninjured segments were removed for biochemical investigation. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined for each group. RESULTS: The mean MDA levels in esophageal tissue were significantly higher in groups B, C, and D than in group A (P < .05). Moreover, the mean GSH levels in the same esophageal tissues were significantly lower in groups C and D than in groups A and B (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The reactive oxygen radicals may be play an important role in early phase of caustic esophageal burns by increasing the tissue damage.