The effect of pentoxifylline on the healing of intestinal anastomosis in rats with experimental obstructive jaundice

The aims of this study were (1) to investigate the effect of experimental o bstructive jaundice on the healing of intestinal anastomosis, and (2) to in vestigate the effect of pentoxifylline on the healing of intestinal anastom osis in rats with obstructive jaundice. Obstructive jaundice was induced in rats by the ligation and division of the common bile duct. Four days after this operation, either pentoxifylline or isotonic saline solution was admi nistered intraperitoneally to these jaundiced rats and controls, and then i ntestinal anastomosis was performed. The concentrations of serum tumor necr osis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and serum triglyceride of jaundiced and nonja undiced rats were measured, and the quality of healing was evaluated by mea suring the bursting preasure and hydroxyproline content of the anastomoses on the fifth and tenth days of anastomotic healing. Obstructive jaundice re sulted in an impaired wound healing of the intestinal anastomosis in the ra ts. The administration of pentoxifylline to the jaundiced rats resulted in better anastomotic wound healing. The beneficial effects of pentoxifylline on anastomotic healing in rats with obstructive jaundice was attributed to its inhibitor effect on the endotoxin-induced TNF-alpha release from macrop hages and monocytes, and the stabilizing effect on the neutrophils.