Treatment of ischaemic jejunum with topical and intraluminal Carolina Rinse

Carolina Rinse Solution (CRS) was applied topically and intraluminally to ischaemic (Group 1; n = 5) and distended equine jejunum (Group 2; n = 5). Mesenteric blood flow, ORC (osmotic reflection coefficient), wet weight to dry weight ratios (WW/DW), serosal thickness, and neutrophil accumulation in the serosa were measured. After 60 min ischaemia followed by reperfusion (Group 1), mesenteric blood flow remained greater than baseline values. The mean ORC was similar to that previously reported in normal bowel or ischaemic intestine treated with CRS by arterial perfusion. The ORC after distention and decompression (Group 2) increased and was similar to that previously reported in a comparable untreated experimental model. The WW/DW after both ischaemia and distention increased compared to specimens collected from noninstrumented jejunum proximal to the experimental segments in the same horses. There was no difference in neutrophil numbers in the serosa of either ischaemic or distended intestine compared to the noninstrumented proximal jejunum. CRS-treated ischaemic intestine maintained microvascular permeability similar to that reported for normal intestine whereas treated distended intestine did not. Combined topical and intraluminal application of CRS to ischaemic intestine may reduce complications due to acute inflammation during reperfusion.