Regional differences in mucosal hemodynamics in experimental colonic injury in rats

In rat colon damaged by 10% acetic acid and by dinitrochlorobenzene, we test the following hypotheses: (1) mucosal hemodynamic changes are significantly different at the ulcer base, the ulcer margin, and the inflamed non-ulcer-bearing mucosa; and (2) these mucosal hemodynamic changes also vary with time after induction of the colonic injury. Mucosal hemodynamic changes were documented by reflectance spectrophotometry, and variations in gross mucosal morphology were confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin histologic sections. Results revealed that in the acute stage, the ulcer base, which was covered by necrotic debris, showed ischemia without congestion. The ulcer margin at the edge of the ulcer base showed ischemia with congestion. The nonulcerated mucosa, which appeared erythematous, showed increased perfusion. In the convalescent stage, all the altered perfusion patterns returned to normal. These observations offer plausible explanations for the variability in colonic perfusion observed in experimentally damaged colons.