The effects on bacterial translocation and tissue damage of selenium treatment in an experimental intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion model

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The free oxygen radicals formed with reperfusion following intestinal ischaemia are extremely toxic for the cells. Glutathione peroxidase, an important enzyme that prevents the formation of reactive oxygen species, requires selenium as a co-factor. This study aims to demonstrate the effects of selenium administration on reducing ischaemia-reperfusion damage. METHODS: In this study, 28 male Wistar rats were separated into four groups. To Groups 3 and 4, sodium selenite at the dose of 10 µg/kg/day was administered intraperitoneally for five days. In Groups 1 and 3, laparotomy was applied, and in Groups 2 and 4, following laparotomy, ischaemia was created by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 45 mins, then reperfusion was provided for 90 mins. Blood, liver and ileum samples were taken from all the animals for examination of malondialdehyde. For examination of bacterial translocation, liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph node tissue samples were taken. A sample taken from the ileum was examined histopathologically. RESULTS: There was determined to be significantly more bacterial translocation in the mesenteric lymph nodes of the ischaemia-reperfusion group (p