Effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on anastomotic healing in secondary peritonitis

We aimed to investigate the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on wound healing in left colonic anastomoses in the presence of intraperitoneal sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in a rodent model.

This experimental study was conducted on 48 male Wistar albino rats. The animals were randomly allocated into four groups and a left colonic anastomosis was performed on the day following sham operation or CLP in all rats: (i) sham-operated control group, laparatomy plus cecal mobilization (n = 12) (Group 1), (ii) sham + CAPE group, identical to Group 1 except for CAPE treatment (10 μmol/kg, intraperitoneally, 30 min before construction of the colonic anastomosis) (n = 12) (Group 2), (iii) CLP group, cecal ligation and puncture (n = 12) (Group 3), and (iv) CLP + CAPE-treated group, 10 μmol/kg, intraperitoneally, 30 min before the construction of colonic anastomosis (n = 12) (Group 4). On the postoperative day 7, the animals were subjected to relaparotomy for in-vivo measurement of the colonic anastomotic bursting pressure. A colonic segment including the anastomotic site was resected for histopathological evaluation and biochemical analyses of hydroxyproline (Hyp) contents, myeloperoxidase (MPO) acivity, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Body weight changes were examined.

CAPE treatment significantly increased colonic anastomotic bursting pressures (p < .05), colonic anastomotic tissue Hyp contents, and enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant markers (p < .05), and significantly decreased oxidative stress parameters in colonic anastomotic tissues (p < .05). Histopathological scores were significantly better by CAPE administration (p < .05).

This study clearly showed that CAPE treatment prevented the detrimental effects of intraperitoneal sepsis on colonic anastomotic wound healing. Further clinical studies are required to determine whether CAPE has a useful role in the enhancement of gastrointestinal anastomotic wound healing during particular surgeries in which sepsis-induced organ injury occurs.