The influence of somatostatin on bacterial translocation.
BACKGROUND
Bacterial translocation is defined as the passage of bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract to extraintestinal sites mostly as a consequence of the loss of the gut barrier function. Somatostatin and octreotide, exerting many inhibitory effects on the gastrointestinal tract, have been evidenced to promote bacterial translocation.


METHODS



METHODS
experimental research.


METHODS
University teaching Hospital.


METHODS
Sixteen pigs forming the study group received 25 mg/kg of octreotide twice a day for ten days. A control group (n=16) received an equal volume of saline solution for the same period. All animals were sacrificed and tissue cultures were obtained from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), liver and spleen. Portal venous and central venous blood samples were also withdrawn for culture.


RESULTS
In the octreotide group, cultures were positive for bacteria in 43.7% (7/16) of animals. Viable bacteria were recovered from MLN, liver and spleen. Portal and systemic blood cultures showed no growth of bacteria. The mean value of bacterial detection in MLN, liver and spleen was 196+/-13 CFU/g, 190+/-26 CFU/g, and 173+/-0 CFU/g, respectively. P value was not statistically significant. Bacterial translocation did not occur in the animals of the control group. Fisher s exact test revealed a statistically significant difference (p<0.007) between the two groups regarding bacterial translocation to MLN.


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of octreotide is followed by a conspicuous increase in bacterial translocation in pigs. Further clinical studies are needed to demonstrate similar effects on humans.
Tocchi
A
A
1st Department of Surgery, University La Sapienza, Medical School, Rome, Italy. gluca.costa@iol.it
Costa
G
G
Lepre
L
L
Mazzoni
G
G
Liotta
G
G
Agostini
N
N
Miccini
M
M
Cassini
D
D
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018988:Bacterial Translocation / Q000187:drug effects*; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology; D008643:Mesentery; D015282:Octreotide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000382:microbiology; D013552:Swine
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D015282:Octreotide