Role of pentoxifylline and iloprost in the prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury in an experimental model of intestine ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

BACKGROUND

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury can lead to multiple organ failure and death. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pentoxifylline and iloprost administered before reperfusion in intestinal ischemia.

METHODS

In total, 25 male Wistar Albino rats weighing 250-300 g were divided into five groups each comprising five subjects: control group (n=5), sham group (n=5, no I/R), I/R group (n=5, 45 min ischemia, and 120 min reperfusion), I/R + pentoxifylline group (n=5, 45 min ischemia following intraperitoneal 50 mg/kg pentoxifylline and 120 min reperfusion), and I/R + iloprast group (n=5, 45 min ischemia followed by intraperitoneal 2 mcg /kg iloprost and 120 min reperfusion). At the end of the experiment, ileum specimens were stained using hematoxylin-eosin and histopathologically evaluated using the Chiu score. Isometric contraction-relaxation responses were recorded using organ baths for contraction-relaxation responses.

RESULTS

Pentoxifylline provided a significant improvement in response to histopathological and contraction-relaxation responses. Although iloprost provided recovery in reperfusion injury, it was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that pentoxifylline may be promising in preventing small bowel ischemia-reperfusion injury. We concluded that further clinical and experimental studies for iloprost are needed.