Abstract:
Background and aim It has been reported that intestinal ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury results
from oxidative stress caused by increased reactive oxygen species. Dexpanthenol (Dxp) is an
alcohol analogue with epitelization, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and increasing peristalsis
activities. In the present study, the aim was to investigate protective and therapeutic effects of Dxp
against intestinal I/R injury. Materials and methods Overall, 40 rats were assigned into five groups
including one control, one alone Dxp, and three I/R groups (40-min ischemia; followed by 2-h
reperfusion). In two I/R groups, Dxp (500 mg/kg, i.m.) was given before or during ischemia. The
histopathological findings including apoptotic changes, and also tissue and serum biochemical
parameters levels, were determined. Oxidative stress and ileum damage were assessed by
biochemical and histological examination. In the control (n ¼ 8) and alone Dxp (n ¼ 8; 500 mg/kg,
i.m. of Dxp was given at least 30 min before recording), groups were incised via laparotomy, and
electrical activity was recorded from their intestines. In this experiment, the effect of Dxp on the
motility of the intestine was examined by analyzing electrical activity. Results In ileum, oxidant
levels were found to be higher, while antioxidant levels were found to be lower in I/R groups when
compared with controls. Dxp approximated high levels of oxidants than those in the control group,
while it increased antioxidant values compared with I/R groups. Histopathological changes caused
by intestinal I/R injury and histological improvements were observed in both groups given Dxp. In
the Dxp group, electrical signal activity markedly increased compared with the control group.
Conclusions Here, it was seen that Dxp had protective and therapeutic effects on intestinal I/R
injury and gastrointestinal system peristaltism.
