The effects of hydrogen-rich saline solution on intestinal anastomosis performed after intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury

Aim We investigated the effects of hydrogen-rich saline solution (HRSS) on intestinal anastomosis performed after intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). Materials and methods Thirty Wistar albino female rats were randomly divided into five groups. Only laparotomy was performed in the Sham group. In the other four groups, an intestinal IRI was performed for 45 min by clamping the superior mesenteric artery. After intestinal IRI, anastomosis was performed by cutting the intestine from the proximal 15 cm of the ileocecal valve at the first and 24th hours. HRSS was given intraperitoneally 5 ml/kg before reperfusion and for four more days in the HRSS1 and HRSS24groups, while no treatment was given to the I/R1 and I/R24 groups. After 5 days, all groups underwent relaparotomy. The anastomotic bursting pressures were measured in all groups, except the Sham group. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in the tissues taken from the anastomosis line. The tissue sections were evaluated histopathologically and the apoptosis index was determined by applying the TUNEL method. The results were analyzed one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson's chi-squared test. Results Although the MPO, MDA, IL-6 and TNF-α tissue values were not statistically significant among the groups, the degree of tissue damage and apoptosis levels were lower and the anastomotic bursting pressures values were higher in the HRSS1 and HRSS24 groups compared to the I/R1 and I/R24 groups. Conclusion HRSS is effective in reducing the intestinal damage caused by an IRI: HRSS has the potential to reduce the detrimental effects of intestinal anastomosis performed after an intestinal IRI.