title: Effect of Meconium on the Contractility of the Superior Mesenteric Artery: A Clue to Intestinal Damage in Gastroschisis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intestinal damage has been shown to occur when intra-amniotic meconium concentration exceeds threshold level. However, the mechanism of the meconium-induced intestinal damage is still unclear. Intestinal ischemia can cause intestinal damage in gastroschisis. This study was aimed to determine the effects of intra-amniotic meconium on the contractility of superior mesenteric artery (SMA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen-day-old fertilized chick embryos (Gallus Domesticus) were extirpated and intestines were harvested. The SMA specimens were prepared as 4 mm segments in the organ bath with Krebs-Henseleit buffer. The isometric contraction responses of the SMA specimens were evaluated with norepinephrine, different meconium concentrations, and clear amniotic fluid. Maximum isometric contractions responses (MICR) of the SMA specimens were recorded with an amplifier system on a computer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the norepinephrine group, MICR was found as 2.92 ± 0.57 mN. While MICR of the 1/100 meconium group (highest meconium concentration) was found as 1.56 ± 0.40 mN, MICR of the clear amniotic fluid group was 0.41 ± 0.07 mN. The MICR of the norepinephrine group was significantly increased compared with the 1/100 meconium and clear amniotic fluid groups. MICR of the 1/100 meconium group was also found to be significantly increased compared with clear amniotic fluid group. No statistically significant difference was found among the meconium subgroups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intra-amniotic meconium in fetuses with gastroschisis might cause ischemic intestinal damage by reducing the intestinal blood flow. Further studies are needed to show the outcomes of the vasoactive effect of meconium on the SMA blood flow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University, Medical School, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Osman Z
authors.initials: OZ
authors.lastname: Karakuş
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University, Medical School, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bora
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Solmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University, Medical School, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Oğuz
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ateş
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Dokuz Eylül University, Medical School, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ateş
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University, Medical School, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gülce
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hakgüder
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University, Medical School, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olguner
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University, Medical School, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Feza M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Akgür
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008470:Meconium / Q000502:physiology*; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000502:physiology*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D009638:Norepinephrine