A MODEL OF HYPOXIA-INDUCED NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS - THE ROLE OF DISTENSION

Background/Purpose: This study was performed to investigate additional effects of intestinal distension in the damage to the gut caused by h ypoxia-reperfusion. Methods: Five groups each consisting of ten 1-day- old Wistar albino rat pups were studied; Group 1, hypoxia-reoxygenatio n; Group 2, hypoxia-reoxygenation and distension; Group 3, distension and hypoxia-reoxygenation; Group 4, distension; and Group 5, control. Hypoxia was induced by placing the rat pups in a 100% carbon dioxide c hamber for 5 minutes. After the hypoxia, the pups were exposed to 100% oxygen for reoxygenation for 5 minutes. The intestinal distension was carried out with a fine 21-gauge SlLASTIC(R) cannula via rectal route . The rats were killed on the third day, and all the intestine were ha rvested from duodenum to sigmoid colon. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels w ere determined as an index of lipid peroxidation related to free radic al reaction in the intestine. The histopathologic investigation was ca rried out by light microscopy in a blinded fashion. Results: The MDA l evels of Group 3 animals were significantly higher than those in Group 1, 4, and the control group (P<.05). The MDA level of Group 2 did not differ significantly from that of the Group 3 (P>.05). All MDA levels of the study groups also were significantly higher than the control g roup (P<.05). Conclusion: The results demonstrated that intestinal dis tension increased the damaging effects of hypoxia-reoxygenation in the gut. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.