Retinoic acid and intestinal wound healing in intra-operatively irradiated rat.

AIM

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of intra-operative radiotherapy on intestinal wound healing and prevention of its side effects by retinoic acid.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups of (n = 10). All the groups had laparatomies and terminal ileum exteriorization. Group I was the control group with no irradiation and no anastomosis; group II had both irradiation and anastomosis and group III rats had peroral retinoic acid conditioning and irradiation + anastomosis. On the seventh postoperative day, tensile strength and intestinal elongation measurements were to evaluate the effect of retinoic acid on wound healing.

RESULTS

Compared to the non-retinoic acid conditioned group, the retinoic acid conditioned group had statistically significant higher tensile strength and lower intestinal elongation values, revealing better wound healing.

CONCLUSION

Peroral retinoic acid supplement administration has a preventive effect on radiation-induced wound-healing inhibition in intra-operative abdominopelvic irradiation and anastomoses.