The effect of honey on the intestinal anastomotic wound healing in rats with obstructive jaundice

Jaundice has been associated with an increased incidence of postoperative hernias, decreased wound and anastomotic bursting pressure, and reduced tissue collagen synthesis. This study is aimed to examine the possible effects of honey supplementation on anastomotic wound healing in obstructive jaundice (OJ) model.

Eighty wistar-albino rats were divided into four groups as control, OJ, O plus artificial honey and OJ plus honey. Rats were fed with standard rat chow (SRC) in group-I&II, SRC plus 10 mg/kg/day honey in group-4 and SRC plus artificial honey including the same caloric amount with honey in group-3. Colon anastomoses were performed in all groups. Also, common bile duct ligation was performed in group-1, group-2 and group-3. On the postoperative 3rd and 7th days, anastomotic healing was evaluated.

The hydroxyproline level was significantly lower in the jaundiced animals compared with the controls and those given honey or artificial honey (p<0.05). The anastomotic bursting pressure results showed a correlation with the hydroxyproline results, and the use of honey significantly increased the bursting pressure compared with that of the bile duct ligated group (p<0.05).

The oral administration of honey can be considered when attempts at conventional internal drainage fail in obstructive jaundice (Tab. 2, Fig. 6, Ref. 20). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.