Effect of aprotinin on fibrinopurulent peritonitis in rats.

The effect of aprotinin on the clinical and pathologic course of experimentally induced peritonitis in the rat was studied. Peritonitis was induced in 40 rats by creating a closed ileal loop 4 cm long 5 cm from the ileocecal valve. The rats were divided into two groups of 20 rats each. Group 1 served as a control group, whereas each animal in Group 2 received a bolus dose of aprotinin (10 ml) intraperitoneally immediately after closing the laparotomy. In the aprotinin-treated group, survival was drastically increased (p less than 0.01) and formation of adhesions and abscesses was considerably reduced. The results of peritoneal cultures showed a decreased incidence of Escherichia coli and Clostridia in the aprotinin-treated group. We conclude that the administration of aprotinin significantly prolongs the survival time of animals with peritonitis and reduces the development of adhesions and abscesses in the peritoneal cavity. This beneficial effect can be attributed to decreased fibrinogen deposits within the peritoneal cavity and the stabilization of the organism after bacterial shock. Thus, bacteria were more susceptible to cellular and noncellular clearing mechanisms.

Pentoxifylline in the treatment of experimental peritonitis in rats.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of pentoxifylline on the clinical and pathologic course of experimentally induced peritonitis in rats. This drug is a methyxanthine derivative that has vasodilating properties and may decrease platelet aggregation. Peritonitis was induced in 40 Wistar rats by creating a closed ileal loop 4 cm long 5 cm from the ileocecal valve. The animals were divided into two groups of 20 animals each. The first group served as controls, while each animal of the second group received 17 mg/kg/day of pentoxifylline intramuscularly from the day of operation until 30 days postoperatively. The survival rate was significantly increased in the group receiving pentoxifylline and adhesion or abscess formation was considerably reduced. We concluded that the administration of pentoxifylline prolongs significantly the survival of animals with experimental peritonitis and reduces the development of adhesions and abscesses in the peritoneal cavity. This beneficial effect may be attributed to decreased fibrinogen deposits and increased fibrinolytic activity within the peritoneal cavity, thus rendering the bacteria more susceptible to cellular and noncellular clearing mechanisms.