Intestinal Ischemia, Bacterial Translocation, and Oxygen Free-Radical Production in Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

H, Ozturk/0000-0001-5608-5742; Geyik, Mehmet Faruk/0000-0002-0906-0902WOS: 000270038700002Objectives. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the consequences of increased intra-abdominal pressure on the small bowel and whether this pressure creates intestinal ischemia leading to oxygen free-radical production and bacterial translocation. Material and Methods. Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 275-300 g were used. Group 1 rats (n = 10) were subjected to 20-mm Hg pneumoperitoneum pressure for 60 minutes. In group 2 rats (n = 10, controls) the intra-abdominal pressure was not increased. In all rats the following parameters were investigated: mean arterial pressure after carotid catheterization, histopathological examination of the intestinal mucosa evaluated with a scoring system, malondialdehyde production in the liver and small bowel, and bacterial translocation towards the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen 24 hours after pneumoperitoneum deflation. Results. The mean arterial pressure exhibited no alterations. Histological analysis mainly showed extensive epithelial separations from the lamina propria down the sides of the villi and ulceration at the villus tips in the rats with increased intra-abdominal pressure. Bacterial translocation occurred to the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, and liver after 60 minutes of increased intra-abdominal pressure of 20 mm Hg (p < 0.05). Malondialdehyde increased in the liver and small bowel mucosa (p < 0.05 for both). Conclusions. Increased intra-abdominal pressure in rats leads to intestinal ischemia and mild histological changes in the small bowel and to oxygen free-radical production and bacterial translocation (Adv Clin Exp Med 2009, 18, 2, 115-120)