Vascular 02

Abstract

Background: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) mediated gut damage is an unevitable consequence of resuscitation and certain form of aortic reconstructive surgery. The resultant increase in gut permeability has been implicated in systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ failure. Taurine modulates the pro-inflammatory effects of I/R and also is protector of stressed enterocytes. We examined its effects in an experimental model of I/R-induced injury. Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: Control; I/R; Taurine plus I/R. Taurine (200 mg kg−1 per day) was given for 5 days before I/R. I/R was induced by cross-clamping superior mesenteric and coeliac vascular pedicle for 30 min, followed by 3-h reperfusion. The magnitude of intestinal permeability of a segment of jejunum was determined by measurement of the ratio of plasma to lumen expression of the fluorescent dextran (FD4) using luminescence spectrophotometer. A laser-Doppler monitor measured the intestinal blood flow, expressed as flux. Intestinal oedema was determined by wet : dry ratio of the gut tissue. Results: At the end of reperfusion: I/R significantly decreased gut blood flow, increased the intestinal permeability and oedema. Administration of taurine significantly attenuated these events. Conclusion: These data demonstrated that taurine protected against I/R-induced decrease in gut blood flow and increase in intestinal permeability and the mechanism underlying this protection warrants further investigation.