Effects of Cholerella sp. microalgae extract on colonic anastomosis in rats with protein-energy malnutrition.

OBJECTIVE: Algae, which are used as supplementary nutrients in various countries, are products rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of algae extracts on the healing of colonic anastomosis in malnourished rats. METHOD: Seventy-two rats were randomized to three groups. Group 1 was fed with standard diet for 15 days, before and after the colonic anastomosis. Groups 2 and 3 were fed with a malnutrition diet for 15 days prior to colonic anastomosis and then with the basic diet for 15 days there after. Group 3 also received an extract of algae derived from Cholerella sp. via oral gavage postoperatively, in addition to the basic diet. Rats were killed on the 3rd, 7th and 15th postoperative day. Blood samples were collected to evaluate prealbumin, transferring and albumin levels. Anastomotic bursting pressures (BPs), histopathology and tissue hydroxyproline levels were evaluated after killing. RESULTS: In group 3, the prealbumin level on the 3rd postoperative day and transferrin and albumin levels on the 7th and 15th postoperative days were significantly increased compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Tissue hydroxyproline levels and anastomotic BPs of group 3 were significantly higher than in group 2 on the 3rd, 7th and 15th postoperative days (P < 0.05). Histopathological examination of the anastomosis revealed significantly better healing patterns for group 3 than for groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Extract derived from Cholerella sp. microalgae has favourable effects on healing of experimental colon anastomoses.

Delayed energy protection of ischemic preconditioning on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injuries associated with hepatic resections are unresolved problems in the clinical practice. The aim of this study is to elucidate the effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on the energy charge (EC) and related mechanisms at the late phase of hepatic IR injury. METHODS: 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, IR and IPC groups. The model of partial hepatic IR was used. The rats were subjected to 60 min hepatic ischemia, pretreated by IPC (10/15 min) or not. After 24 h of reperfusion, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), nitrite/nitrate (NOx), malondialdehyde (MDA), hepatic tissue arginase activity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and EC of the liver were measured. RESULTS: Liver injury reduced by IPC is measured by liver tissue arginase activity and serum ALT. Tissue NOx levels in rats pretreated with IPC were significantly higher than levels in the IR group (p < 0.001). Tissue levels of MDA in the liver of the IPC group were found to be significantly lower than the levels in the IR group (p < 0.001). ATP and EC levels 24 h after hepatic ischemia in rats pretreated with IPC were higher than the levels in the IR (p < 0.05). All groups had similar ADP and AMP levels in the liver tissues. The IPC procedure significantly reduced the hepatic necrosis (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that pretreatment with IPC improved tissue ATP, EC, and hepatic necrosis at late stages of ischemia reperfusion injury of the liver. Increased nitric oxide, reduced MDA and arginase activity seemed to play a regulatory role in this delayed protective effect of IPC.