Plasma amylin concentration is related to the severity of intestinal ischemic injury in rats

Background. Previous work has demonstrated that intestinal ischemia inn eas es plasma amylin concentration. This study examined the relationship betwee n the degree of intestinal ischemia injury and plasma amylin in an experime ntal rat model. Methods. Wistar rats were divided into a control group (n = 6); a sham-oper ated group (n = 9); and 3 intestinal ischemia-reperfusion groups (n = 8 in each), which underwent clamping of the superior mesenteric artery for eithe r 15, 30, or 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes of reperfusion. Samples were then collected for intestinal histology and measurement of amylin, insulin , and glucose. Results. There was a positive correlation between the histologic score of t he intestinal injury and the measured plasma amylin concentration (R = 0.48 P = .007). The median plasma concentration of amylin was 62 pmol/L (range, 42-97 pmol/L) in the 30-minute intestinal ischemia group and 58 pmol/L (42 -86 pmol/L) in the 45-minute intestinal ischemia group. Both these groups w ere increased compared with the sham-operated group (29 pmol/L; range, 22-5 7 pmol/L; P < .001 and P < .005, respectively) and the control group (28 pm ol/L; range, 26-42 pmol/L; P < .001 and P < .0005, respectively). The media n plasma concentration of insulin in the 30-minute intestinal ischemia grou p was 4230 pmol/L (range, 1360-5770 pmol/L) which was increased compared wi th both the control group (950 pmol/L; range, 550-1510 pmol/L; P < .005) an d the sham-operated group (720 pmol/L; range, 280-4180 pmol/L; P < .005). T here were no differences between any of the other groups either for glucose , insulin, or amylin. Conclusions. Plasma amylin concentration is related to the severity of inte stinal ischemic injury.