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Improvement in survival of mice with proximal small bowel obstruction treated with octreotide
G K Gittes1, M T Nelson, H T Debas
1Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco.
Abstract:
Small bowel obstruction is a common disorder in surgical practice. The major morbidity of bowel obstruction relates to intestinal distension and ischemia. We hypothesized that octreotide, a potent inhibitor of gut secretion, would reduce mortality in a mouse model of lethal small bowel obstruction. C57 mice were anesthetized with urethane and prepared with either proximal jejunal or distal ileal obstruction. After 8 hours, surviving mice were randomized to receive either octreotide (100 micrograms/kg) or saline subcutaneously every 8 hours. Octreotide significantly improved survival in mice with proximal obstruction by life table analysis. Mean survival increased from 31 +/- 3 to 41 +/- 4 hours. In distal obstruction, octreotide treatment resulted in a trend towards improved survival; however, this trend failed to reach statistical significance by life table analysis. The improvement in survival in this mouse model suggests that octreotide may be a valuable adjunct in the treatment of patients with small bowel obstruction.
Insights
Octreotide, a gut secretion inhibitor, improved survival in a mouse model of proximal small bowel obstruction. This finding suggests octreotide may aid in treating human intestinal obstruction cases.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Small bowel obstruction is a frequent surgical condition.
- Intestinal distension and ischemia are primary causes of morbidity.
- Octreotide is a potent inhibitor of gastrointestinal secretions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of octreotide in reducing mortality in a lethal mouse model of small bowel obstruction.
- To determine if octreotide administration improves survival rates following induced intestinal obstruction.
Main Methods:
- C57 mice underwent surgical induction of proximal jejunal or distal ileal obstruction.
- Octreotide (100 micrograms/kg) or saline was administered subcutaneously every 8 hours to surviving mice after 8 hours.
- Survival analysis was conducted using life table methods.
Main Results:
- Octreotide significantly improved survival in mice with proximal small bowel obstruction (mean survival increased from 31 ± 3 to 41 ± 4 hours).
- In cases of distal obstruction, octreotide showed a trend towards improved survival, but this did not reach statistical significance.
- The drug's effect on survival suggests a potential therapeutic role.
Conclusions:
- Octreotide demonstrated a significant survival benefit in a mouse model of proximal small bowel obstruction.
- Further investigation is warranted to confirm octreotide's efficacy in distal obstruction and its potential clinical application.
- Octreotide may serve as a valuable adjunctive therapy for patients suffering from small bowel obstruction.