Intestinal wall damage in simple ileus in rabbits: immune-modulator role of somatostatin.

Background/aims: We aim to determine in which way the local immune system would be responsible for the structural changes in intestinal obstruction, and how these are influenced by Somatostatin, an intestinal peptide with immunomodulatory properties. Simple ileus causes a series of functional and anatomical changes, which have been related to the peptidergic neural system, and inflammatory mediators. These changes are reversible with the use of Somatostatin.

Methodology: 27 rabbits divided into three groups, were subjected to the same procedure, in which a simple closed loop obstruction is caused by means of jejunum ligatures. The three groups are perfused with physiologic saline during 24 hours post-obstruction; one of them is perfused with Somatostatin from the time of intervention, and other after 8 hours. Samples of the intestinal wall are taken for histological analysis, and of the intraluminal liquid to determine the tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 2, interleukin 6, and serotonin.

Results: Both group treated with Somatostatin show a wall which is in good condition, while the untreated group showed lesions. These lesions are related to higher levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 2, while there were no changes in the levels of interleukin 6.

Conclusions: The Somatostatin in perfusion shows a cytoprotective activity in the intestinal wall, and a blockage of the production of mediators of cellular immunity, while humoral immunity does not appear to be involved in these phenomena.