Prolongation of the intestinal viability using oxygenated perfluorocarbon in an experimental model of acute...

Liquid perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are well known for their capability to carry respiratory gases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of oxygenated F-Decalin on the intestinal viability, in an experimental model of acute intestinal ischemia.

Thirty-six rabbits were subjected to 8h intestinal ischemia by ligation of the superior mesenteric artery (subgroups 1), the mesenteric vein (subgroups 2) or both vessels (subgroups 3). The animals were divided into three groups: (a) Control (ischemia alone), (b) PFC-O2 (ischemia plus infusion of oxygenated F-Decalin) and (c) PFC (ischemia plus infusion of not-oxygenated F-Decalin). Intestinal biopsies from four different sites and blood samples for serum enzymes measurements were taken at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h. All tissue sections were examined blindly under light microscope. Sections from the specimens were taken at 4 and 8 h, and examined blindly under the electron microscope. Statistical analysis was performed by non-parametric Kruskal Wallis test.

Using light microscope, the observed intestinal damages to the sections from Control and PFC groups were severe at 4 h and destructive after 8 h. On the contrary, minimal injuries were observed in the biopsies from PFC-O2 group at 4 and even after 8 h of ischemia. These findings were confirmed by the electron microscope study and correlated to the serum enzymes measurements.

These results suggest that intestinal viability could be prolonged after acute ischemia using oxygenated perfluorocarbons and this could be a promising pretreatment modality for a variety of mesenteric ischemic forms.