INTRAVENOUS BUTYRATE AND HEALING OF COLONIC ANASTOMOSES IN THE RAT

PURPOSE: Intracolonic infusions of short chain fatty acids promote hea ling of colonic anastomoses. Because the intravenous route may have wi der clinical application, we studied the effect of intravenous n-butyr ate on the mechanical strength of colonic anastomoses in the rat. METH ODS: After placement of an indwelling intravenous catheter, the descen ding colon was transected and an anastomosis was performed. Rats were then randomized to receive total parenteral nutrition (TPN group; n = 15) or total parenteral nutrition plus 130 mM/l of n-butyrate (TPN+BUT group; n = 13). On the fifth postoperative day, bursting pressure and bowel wall tension of the anastomoses were measured in situ. Anastomo tic tissues were analyzed for hydroxyproline. RESULTS: The TPN+BUT gro up had a significantly higher bursting pressure (107.5 +/- 30.3 vs. 83 +/- 41.0 mmHg; P = 0.04) and bowel wall tension (20.7 +/- 7.6 vs. 14. 1 +/- 9.9 Newton; P = 0.03). Tissue hydroxyproline was not different b etween the two groups (TPN, 45.8 +/- 9.2, and TPN+BUT, 47.9 +/- 2.9 mu g/mg tissue nitrogen). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that intravenous buty rate improves mechanical strength of a colonic anastomosis without a d etectable change in total collagen content.