Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of bilirubin in
experimental small intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.
Methods, Thirty rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 6). In group S, saline
and in group B, bilirubin, 20 mg/kg were infused via the jugular vein with
out an additional procedure. In groups S-IR, saline, B-1-IR and B-2-IR, 10
and 20 mg/kg/h of bilirubin were infused for 2 hours, respectively. In thes
e groups, an I/R procedure was done after infusions by occluding the superi
or mesenteric artery for 45 minutes followed by 1 hour of reperfusion. Afte
r reperfusion, the small intestines were resected for histopathologic and m
alondialdehyde (MDA) assessments. Mucosal lesions were scored between 0 and
5. Malondialdehyde levels and histopathologic grades were analyzed statist
ically.
Results: Mucosal injury was severe in S-IR (grade 4 to 5), mild in B-1-IR (
grade 0 to 3) and none in B-2-IR group (grade 0). Grades of group S-IR were
higher than those of B-1-IR and B-2-IR statistically (P < .05). Tissue MDA
levels of the S-IR group were significantly higher than those of B-1-IR an
d B-2-IR groups (U = 36, P < .05). Bilirubin levels correlated inversely wi
th MDA levels (r = -0.94).
Conclusions: Bilirubin effectively prevents intestinal I/R injury in rat. T
his observation is consistent with the hypotheses regarding bilirubin as an
antioxidant, having a role in the body defense. Copyright (C) 2001 by WB.
Saunders Company.