Effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor on bacterial translocation after experimental obstructive jaundice

Objective: To investigate the effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony stim ulating factor (GM-CSF) on bacterial translocation promoted by obstructive jaundice. Design: Controlled animal study. Setting: University hospital, Turkey. Animals: 30 male Wistar albino rats. Interventions: The first group (n = 10) was the sham operation (control) gr oup, and the second and the third (n = 10 each) had common bile duct (CBD) ligation and division under sterile conditions. The third group were also t reated with GM-CSF 200 ng subcutaneously daily between the fifth and ninth postoperative days. All animals were killed on the tenth day, and evaluated biochemically and histopathologically. Mesenteric lymph nodes were culture d under aerobic conditions. Main outcome measures: Biochemical analysis, hi stopathological evaluation, and aerobic cultures. Results: There was no bacterial translocation in either the control or GM-C SF groups, whereas Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium were found i n 4 and 2 animals, respectively in the ligation group. Although no aerobic bacteria was found in controls and the GM-CSF groups, bacterial translocati on was 6/10 in the ligation alone group (p <0.01). Conclusion: Activation of inflammatory response with GM-CSF is highly effec tive in prevention of bacterial translocation in obstructive jaundice.