The relationship between the level of thirteen different substances and enzymes in blood and peritoneal fluid and the duration of mechanical intestinal obstruction: an experimental study on rats.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between the changes in blood and peritoneal fluid and the duration of mechanical intestinal obstruction.

METHODS

A mechanical intestinal obstruction was surgically carried out in 52 Wistar albino rats. The blood and peritoneal fluid were sampled immediately (Group 1, n=13), and at 6 hours (Group 2, n=13), at 24 hours (Group 3, n=13), and at 48 hours (Group 4, n=13) following the procedure.

RESULTS

Blood and peritoneal fluid ammonia concentrations, as well as blood aldolase activity have risen progressively over time (p<0.05), although not all pair-wise comparisons were statistically significant (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that peritoneal fluid and blood ammonia levels and blood aldolase levels rise according to duration of the intestinal obstruction. Since the results were not available to determine cut-off levels, future research is required to confirm these results and determine whether ammonia or aldolase can be used in clinical practice to predict the presence and duration of a mechanical intestinal obstruction.