THE ROLE OF INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF DEXTRAN-70 IN ENTERIC BACTERIAL TRANSLOCATION AFTER PARTIAL-HEPATECTOMY IN RATS

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of intravenous dextran on bacterial translocation and intestinal vascular endothelial and epi thelial barrier function after experimental partial hepatectomy. We de termined systemic arterial pressure, enteric bacterial growth (proxima l and distal small intestine and colon) and bacterial translocation (B T) to mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys and blood, as well as intestinal vascular endothelial and epithelial barri er permeability, after sham operation or partial hepatectomy (50% and 90%) with preoperative intravenous administration of saline, albumin o r dextran 70. Subtotal hepatectomy induced a significant decrease in a rterial pressure and an increase in the number of Escherichia coli in the distal small intestine. BT was not observed in sham-operated anima ls or in rats with 50% hepatectomy administered dextran. The number of positive cultures of enteric bacteria was significantly increased aft er hepatectomy, whereas dextran treatment decreased the number of anim als with BT. Increased permeability of the intestinal vascular endothe lial and epithelial barriers was noted in hepatectomized animals, whil e dextran prevented hepatectomy-induced vascular endothelial barrier i njury. Enteric bacterial translocation occurred following partial hepa tectomy in the rat, associated with bacterial overgrowth in the distal small intestine. Intravenous administration of dextran 70 prevented b acterial overgrowth and translocation, at least in part, by maintainin g gut vascular endothelial barrier integrity.