Effect of alpha-tocopherol, taurine and selenium on the attenuation of ischemia/reperfusion injury of splanchnic organs.
BACKGROUND
Splanchnic artery occlusion shock is caused by increased capillary permeability and cellular injury precipitated by oxygen derived free radicals following ischemia and reperfusion of splanchnic organs. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of several well-known oxygen-derived free radical scavengers in ameliorating or preventing this syndrome.


METHODS
Anesthetized rats were subjected to periods of occlusion of the visceral arteries and reperfusion. Tocopherol, taurine, selenium or a 'cocktail' of these three agents was injected subcutaneously for 4 consecutive days prior to operation. Mean arterial blood pressure was measured throughout the experimental period. Fluorometry and technetium-99m pyrophosphate counting of the visceral organs were performed as well as a histologic grading system for intestinal viability.


RESULTS
Final mean arterial blood pressure associated with the 'cocktail' and selenium groups was 79.1 +/- 27.4 mmHg and 83.6 +/- 17.8 mmHg, respectively. These values were significantly higher than the control group, 40.8 +/- 11.4 mmHg (P < 0.05). Similar patterns of the benefit of selenium in contrast with the other groups were obtained with fluorescein perfusion, radioisotopic activity and histologic analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Pretreatment with selenium of splanchnic ischemia and reperfusion in the rat improves mean arterial blood pressure and microcirculatory visceral perfusion. Further analysis of the precise protective mechanism of selenium for reperfusion injury will enable visceral organs to withstand the consequences of increased capillary leakage and oxidant injury.
Yoshida
W B
WB
Department of Surgery of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, New Jersey 07631, USA.
Alasio
T
T
Mazziotta
R
R
Qin
F
F
Kashani
M
M
Lee
S
S
Dardik
H
H
Becker
R
R
D000818:Animals; D002432:Cecum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004386:Duodenum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects; D007082:Ileum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects; D007583:Jejunum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012016:Reference Values; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013270:Stomach / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014781:Viscera / Q000098:blood supply; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014810:Vitamin E; D013654:Taurine; D012643:Selenium