title: Bacterial translocation in a rat model of large volume hepatic radiofrequency ablation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this experimental study, we investigated the possibility of bacterial translocation, constituting a potential cause of infectious complications, after performing large volume hepatic radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar rats were subjected to RFA of the left median liver lobe (approximately 28.5% of the liver volume) after midline laparotomy. At 30 min, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h or 1 wk postoperatively, (1) blood samples were collected from the portal and systemic circulation for assessment of endotoxin concentration, (2) tissue specimens were excised from mesenteric lymph nodes, non-ablated liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and lungs for bacterial culture, and (3) segments of terminal ileum were excised for histopathologic examination, morphometric analysis, and apoptotic and mitotic rate estimation. At 1 and 48 h, ileal mucosa was collected for oxidative state assessment on the basis of glutathione to glutathione disulfate (GSH/GSSG) ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endotoxin levels were increased in both the portal and systemic circulation. Intestinal bacteria were isolated from all the organs at all time points. Ileal mucosa became gradually atrophic, with a decrease in villous height and density. There was an increase of crypt apoptotic rate, a decrease of GSH/GSSG ratio, while there were only mild signs of inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Large volume liver RFA in the rat resulted to endotoxemia and translocation of intestinal bacteria to proximal and distal to the intestine organs at both the early and late post-RFA periods. The intestinal mucosa barrier was disrupted as suggested by ileal mucosal atrophy, increased crypt apoptosis, and induction of oxidative stress.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece. pipsil@med.duth.gr
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ypsilantis
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panopoulou
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lambropoulou
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsigalou
authors.forename: Michail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pitiakoudis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tentes
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kartali
authors.forename: Fotini
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Papachristou
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simopoulos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018988:Bacterial Translocation; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007082:Ileum / Q000382:microbiology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology; D008938:Mitosis; D010179:Pancreas / Q000382:microbiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013154:Spleen / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins; D005978:Glutathione