Early intestinal morphological changes following benzalkonium chloride treatment in a rat model of short bowel syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess early morphological changes of the residual small intestine 30 days after application of Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC) in a rat model of short bowel syndrome (SBS).


METHODS
Twenty nine Wistar rats (260 +/- 20 g) underwent 80% midsmall bowel resection with end to end anastomosis. In group 1 (n=14) BAC solution 0.1% was applied to a 2 cm segment of jejunum, and in group 2 (n=15) normal saline was applied in a similar manner and the rats were sacrificed 30 days after operation. Specimens for histological examination were obtained initially and at sacrifice.


RESULTS
In the BAC treated jejunal segment (group 1), a statistically significant increase (p< 0.05) was noted in villous height by 33.2%, in crypt depth by 26.4%, in muscle thickness by 26%, 109.6% in intestinal diameter, and 20% in total intestinal length, compared to group 2.


CONCLUSIONS
BAC application to the serosal surface of rat's jejunum in SBS is a simple method that within only 4 weeks can topically augment the natural adaptation process noticed following intestinal resection. Further research with a tapering technique performed in sequence is suggested, to prevent possible problems associated with pseudoobstruction in the long term.
Michopoulou
Aikaterini
A
2nd Department of General Surgery, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece. katerinamichopoulou@hotmail.com
Triggas
Basilis
B
Hra
Eleni
E
Spyratou
Christina
C
Milonas
Anastasios
A
Perrea
Despina
D
Donta
Ismini
I
Papadopoulos
Stefanos
S
D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003714:Denervation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds