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Updated: Feb 27, 2026
Murine Model of Intestinal Ischemia-reperfusion Injury
Published on: May 11, 2016
Impact of Acute Intestinal Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury on Hemodynamics and Remote Organs in a Rat Model
Meng Wang1,2, Rabea Verhaegh3, Konstantinos Tsagakis1
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West German Heart Center Essen, University Hospital, Duisburg-Essen University, Essen, Germany.
Background:
Acute mesenteric ischemia following cardiovascular surgery is a rare but fatal complication. We established a new rat model for hemodynamic monitoring during mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and evaluated the impact of mesenteric I/R on hemodynamics and remote organ injury.
Methods:
Mesenteric I/R was induced in male Wistar rats by superior mesenteric artery occlusion for 90 minutes, followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion. Before I/R, ventilation and hemodynamic monitoring including mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and cardiac output (CO) were established. During reperfusion Geloplasma (I/R + Geloplasma, N = 6) and Ringer's solution (I/R + Ringer, N = 6) were titrated according to CO and compared with I/R without volume resuscitation (I/R only, N = 6) and a sham group (sham, N = 6). Blood samples were regularly taken for serum marker measurements. After reperfusion organs were harvested for histology studies.
Results:
After acute mesenteric I/R, MAP and CO decreased (p < 0.01) while systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance increased (p < 0.01) continuously in the I/R group. Volume substitution according to CO initially stabilized hemodynamic parameters, but CO declined independently in the late stage. Compared with the I/R + Ringer group, the I/R + Geloplasma group required less volume for resuscitation (p < 0.01), experienced less metabolic acidosis. I/R groups had more organ injuries, more neutrophils sequestration, and higher creatine phosphokinase-MB levels than sham group.
Conclusion:
A new model for CO monitoring after mesenteric I/R injury demonstrated severe hypovolemic shock during reperfusion followed by remote myocardial and lung injury. Far less colloid volume is needed for hemodynamic stabilization after I/R compared with crystalloid volume.
Insights
Acute mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) causes hypovolemic shock and remote organ injury. Colloid resuscitation is more effective than crystalloids for hemodynamic stabilization in this condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
- Hemodynamics
Background:
- Acute mesenteric ischemia is a rare but fatal complication after cardiovascular surgery.
- A novel rat model was developed to monitor hemodynamics during mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of mesenteric I/R on hemodynamics.
- To assess remote organ injury following mesenteric I/R.
- To compare the efficacy of colloid versus crystalloid resuscitation.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats underwent superior mesenteric artery occlusion for 90 minutes, followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion.
- Hemodynamic monitoring (MAP, CO) and ventilation were established before I/R.
- Resuscitation with Geloplasma (colloid) or Ringer's solution (crystalloid) was compared against no resuscitation and a sham group.
Main Results:
- Mesenteric I/R led to decreased MAP and CO, increased vascular resistance, and significant organ injury.
- Colloid resuscitation (Geloplasma) required less volume and resulted in less metabolic acidosis compared to crystalloid (Ringer's).
- I/R groups exhibited increased neutrophils sequestration and elevated creatine phosphokinase-MB levels.
Conclusions:
- A new model for CO monitoring in mesenteric I/R injury revealed severe hypovolemic shock and subsequent remote organ damage.
- Colloid resuscitation is more effective than crystalloid for hemodynamic stabilization after mesenteric I/R.
- Mesenteric I/R induces hypovolemic shock and remote myocardial and lung injury.
