Introduction: The effect of the antiangiogenic agent suramin on the healing
of colonic anastomoses was studied in a rat model.
Methods: Rats underwent an end-to-end colonic anastomosis and its healing w
as tested by measuring bursting pressure, hydroxyproline content and number
of newly formed vessels. For the bursting pressure experiment suramin was
given intraperitoneally in a dose of 200 mg/kg (maximal tolerable dose) and
100 mg/kg. Hydroxyproline content and vessel density were only tested at 1
00 mg/kg since the toxicity at this dose was lower whereas bursting pressur
e was still diminished.
Results: There were no deaths. On the fourth day after operation bursting p
ressure in the control group was significantly higher than that in rats tre
ated with suramin 200 mg/kg (P = 0.006) and 100 mg/kg (P = 0.002). Rupture
occurred at the anastomotic line. On day 7, this difference was not statist
ically significant. Four days after the operation, the hydroxyproline conte
nt and vessel density were significantly below that in control segments (hy
droxyproline: 10.3 versus 7.8 mu g per mg dry weight; vessel content: 85.7
versus 49.6 vessels per x 100 field for control and suramin-treated rats re
spectively). On the seventh day no difference in hydroxyproline levels was
seen but the vessel density was still diminished significantly (P = 0.04).
Conclusion: Experimentally, suramin significantly inhibits and delays heali
ng of colonic anastomoses.