[The effects of allopurinol on experimental mesenteric ischemia in the rat]

The effect of allopurinol at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mu p/Kg on the release of free toxic radicals in acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) produced experimentally has been studied in rats after clamping the superior mesenteric artery. Mortality and variations in haematological, biochemical and morphological parameters (both microscopic and ultrastructural) were recorded. A dose-dependent effect of a bolus of intraperitoneal alopurinol on the severity of mucosal lesions has been noted. A protection against mucosal damage was observed which may be due to the block by alopurinol of the xantine-oxidase system in the ischaemic reperfused intestine. This should be confirmed by larger studies. Alopurinol might be useful prophylactically to prevent damage of the intestine after ischaemia-revascularization events.