Abstract:
Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects
of bilirubin in experimental small intestinal ischemia/reperfusion
(I/R) injury in rats.
Methods: Thirty rats were divided into 5 groups (n 5 6). In
group S, saline and in group B, bilirubin, 20 mg/kg were
infused via the jugular vein without an additional procedure.
In groups S-IR, saline, B1-IR and B2-IR, 10 and 20 mg/kg/h of
bilirubin were infused for 2 hours, respectively. In these
groups, an I/R procedure was done after infusions by occluding
the superior mesenteric artery for 45 minutes followed by
1 hour of reperfusion. After reperfusion, the small intestines
were resected for histopathologic and malondialdehyde
(MDA) assessments. Mucosal lesions were scored between 0
and 5. Malondialdehyde levels and histopathologic grades
were analyzed statistically.
Results: Mucosal injury was severe in S-IR (grade 4 to 5),
mild in B1-IR (grade 0 to 3) and none in B2-IR group (grade 0).
Grades of group S-IR were higher than those of B1-IR and
B2-IR statistically (P ,.05). Tissue MDA levels of the S-IR
group were significantly higher than those of B1-IR and B2-IR
groups (U 5 36, P , .05). Bilirubin levels correlated inversely
with MDA levels (r 5 20.94).
Conclusions: Bilirubin effectively prevents intestinal I/R injury
in rat. This observation is consistent with the hypotheses
regarding bilirubin as an antioxidant, having a role in the
body defense.