Colonic Mucosal Blood Flow in Ischemic Colitis

Abstract

Abstract:Altered colonic mucosal blood flow (CMBF) is thought to be involved in the onset mechanism of ischemic colitis (IC). This study was designed to clarify the features of CMBF in six patients with IC (average age, 61 yr) and 10 control subjects (44.6yr). In the IC patients, CMBF was measured at both the affected site (ulcer margin and surrounding mucosa) and at a normal appearing site, during the active, healing, or recovery phase, by the laser doppler method. In the control group, CMBF was measured in various segments of the colon. The CMBF around the ulcer site during the active phase was significantly lower than that at the homologous segment in normal controls, while CMBF at normal sites in IC patients did not differ markedly from that of normal controls. CMBF in reddened portions of the ulcer margin in IC patients was significantly higher than that of the surrounding mucosa. A significant increase in CMBF was also observed during PGEi administration as compared to that before administration. This evidence clearly indicates that decreased CMBF is involved in the pathogenic mechanism of IC. The CMBF at sites of active mucosal restoration was somewhat increased. Continuous intravenous administration of PGEi was found to increase CMBF in IC patients.