Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion leads to early systemic micro-rheological and multiorgan microcirculatory alterations in the rat.

Background: Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a potentially life-threatening situation and its pathomechanism is not fully understood yet.

Objective: To investigate the early micro-rheological, microcirculatory and morphological consequences of intestinal I/R in a rat model.

Methods: CD rats were anesthetized and subjected to Control (n = 7) or I/R (n = 7) groups. Left femoral artery cannulation and median laparotomy were performed. In the I/R group the superior mesenteric artery was clamped for 30 minutes. Blood samples were taken before (Base) and after the ischemia, at the 30th, 60th and 120th minutes of the reperfusion (R-30, R-60, R-120). Hematological parameters, erythrocyte deformability and aggregation were determined. On the jejunum, the liver and the right kidney laser Doppler flowmetry tests were completed. At the end of experiment histological samples were taken.

Results: Hematocrit, leukocyte and platelet counts increased during the reperfusion. Erythrocyte deformability worsened versus Control. All erythrocyte aggregation index values of I/R group increased gradually. Intestinal microcirculatory blood flux units (BFU) did not recover completely after ischemia, at R-30 liver BFU values were lower, and kidney values decreased by R-120. Histology showed signs of I/R injury.

Conclusions: Micro-rheological parameters may show early and significant deterioration during the reperfusion that might contribute further to microcirculatory alterations.