Oxygenated Perfluorocarbons Protect the Intestine From the Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rabbits

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether intraluminal administration of oxygenated perfluorocarbons (PFCs) protects the enterocyte from acute ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty rabbits were divided in 4 groups: sham-operated controls (group A), acute I/R (group B), acute I/R plus infusion of oxygenated PFCs 30 minutes before ischemia (group C), and acute I/R plus infusion of oxygenated PFCs 30 minutes before reperfusion (group D). Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and mucosal disaccharidase activity were examined. Intestinal biopsies were obtained for electron microscopy study. RESULTS: Group B CPK mean values are 3495.2 ± 157.35 and 4855 ± 350.21 U/L. Group C: 2674.6 ± 265.87 and 3231 ± 232.30. Group D: 2382.2 ± 102.90 and 3217.6 ± 185.61 at 120 and 180 minutes (P<.05). At 180 minutes, maltase and sucrose values were 33.63, 51.88, 8.45, and 19.91, and 17.99, 22.87, 6.62, and 14.24 µmol/min per g for groups A, B, C, and D, respectively (P<.05). Histopathology showed the least cellular deterioration in PFC groups. CONCLUSION: Oxygenated PFCs protect the enterocyte during bowel I/R.