Effects of experimental lower-limb ischaemia-reperfusion injury on the mesenteric microcirculation.
BACKGROUND
Ischaemia-reperfusion (I-R) of the leg is associated with functional and structural changes in the intestine. This study assessed whether acute hind-limb I-R in rats induced a reduction in perfusion and/or signs of an inflammatory response in the intestine.


METHODS
Rats were subjected to 2 h of unilateral hind-limb ischaemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion (I-R group, n = 9) or to a sham procedure (control group, n = 9). Mesenteric microvascular diameters, red blood cell velocity, blood flow and leucocyte-vessel wall interactions during reperfusion were measured using intravital microscopy.


RESULTS
Blood pressure and heart rate decreased from 30 min of reperfusion onwards in the I-R group compared with controls. From 15 min after the start of reperfusion, mesenteric arteriolar and venular red blood cell velocity and blood flow decreased by 40-50 per cent. Microvascular diameters and leucocyte-vessel wall interactions did not change.


CONCLUSIONS
Restoration of blood flow to an acutely ischaemic hind limb led to a significant decline in the splanchnic microcirculatory blood flow. There were, however, no signs of an early inflammatory response in the gut.
Wehrens
X H T
XH
Department of Surgery, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Rouwet
E V
EV
oude Egbrink
M G A
MG
Slaaf
D W
DW
Ramsay
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000098:blood supply*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D014741:Video Recording