The protective effect of oxygenated perfluorocarbons (PFCs) on intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury (I/R) in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of intraluminal administration of oxygenated perfluorocarbons (PFCs) on small intestine's viability in an experimental model of acute ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). METHODS: Twenty rabbits were divided in four groups: sham-operated controls (group A), acute I/R (group B), acute I/R plus infusion of PFCs 30 min before ischemia (group C), and acute I/R plus infusion of PFCs 30 min before reperfusion (group D). Malondialdehyde (MDA) tissue levels and d-lactate blood samples were taken. All tissue sections were examined under light microscope. RESULTS: Mean MDA levels in group A: 1.79 +/- 0.97 at 0 min, 2.25 +/- 1.76 at 120 min and 3.70 +/- 1.76 nmols/g at 180 min. Group B: 2.60 +/- 0.58 at 0 min, 4.20 +/- 0.58 at 120 min and 5.48 +/- 2.01 at 180 min. Group C: 1.54 +/- 0.85 at 0 min, 1.14 +/- 0.37 at 120 min and 0.59 +/- 0.35 at 180 min. Group D: 2.12 +/- 0.62 at 0 min, 3.97 +/- 0.70 at 120 min and 2.32 +/- 0.37 at 180 min (p < 0.05). Mean d-lactate levels in group A: at 0 min 36.45 +/- 1.99, at 120 min 39.10 +/- 2.37 and at 180 min 40.05 +/- 2.13 mg/dl. Group B: 61.23 +/- 11.03 at 0 min, 74.84 +/- 10.70 at 120 min and 89.90 +/- 9.29 at 180 min. Group C: at 0 min 51.05 +/- 10.36, at 120 min 56.07 +/- 11.27 and at 180 min 57.20 +/- 11.19. Group D: 64.36 +/- 5.26 at 0 min, 72.55 +/- 7.19 at 120 min and 77.02 +/- 9.41 at 180 min (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis indicated a significant improvement in the groups of oxygenated PFCs compared with I/R group. CONCLUSION: Intraluminal administration of oxygenated PFCs seems that protect the intestine from the I/R injury.

Spleen rupture after surgery in Marfan syndrome scoliosis.

Spleen rupture occurred in a 14-year-old girl with Marfan syndrome after posterior spinal instrumented fusion and thoracoplasty for scoliosis. Splenectomy successfully treated this unusual complication of spinal surgery. The etiology, diagnosis, and management of spleen rupture following pediatric spinal surgery are discussed.

Intramuscular administration of very high dose of alpha-tocopherol protects liver from severe ischemia/reperfusion injury.

The effect of intramuscular administration of high (30 mg/kg body weight for 3 days) or very high (300 mg/kg body weight for 3 days) doses of a-tocopherol to Wistar rats subjected to total severe warm hepatic ischemia and reperfusion was investigated. After a 60-minute period of total hepatic ischemia and 120 minutes of reperfusion, animals were killed, and liver samples were taken for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) and histological examinations. Blood samples were also taken for assay of serum a-tocopherol, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). Additional animals were followed for a 7-day survival rate determination. Results showed that ischemia and reperfusion decreased the survival rate to 10%, whereas the levels of AST, ALT, and LDH in serum were increased compared with levels in animals that were sham operated. The MDA concentrations in liver were also increased, from 1.142 to 1.567 nmoles/g, whereas the levels of a-tocopherol in serum were decreased from 10.20 to 1.80 mmol/L. Pretreatment with a-tocopherol increased the viability to 50% and 70%, for the high and very high doses, respectively, and decreased the levels of AST, ALT, and LDH in serum. It also decreased the MDA concentrations in liver to 0.975 and 0.774 nmoles/g for the high and very high doses of a-tocopherol, respectively, whereas it increased the level of a-tocopherol in serum to 11.25 and 13.02 mmol/L for the high and very high doses, respectively. Histological examinations showed protection of the liver parenchyma in the animals treated with a-tocopherol.