Preoperative vitamin C supplementation improves colorectal anastomotic healing and biochemical parameters in malnourished rats.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with vitamin C on intestinal anastomosis healing in malnourished rats.


METHODS
Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: (1) sham, well-nourished rats that received vehicle; (2) FR+Veh, rats that were subjected to food restriction and received vehicle; and (3) FR+VC, rats that were subjected to food restriction and received vitamin C. Four days before surgery, the animals received vitamin C (100 mg/kg/day) via gavage and underwent colon resection with anastomosis in a single plane. The survival rate of rats was monitored until day 7 after surgery. Regarding anastomosis tissues, we examined intra-abdominal adhesion index, hydroxyproline content, collagen density, inflammatory parameters, and oxidative damage to proteins and lipids.


RESULTS
Malnutrition decreases body weight and increases mortality; the survival rate was 90 % in group 1, 60 % in group 2, and 80 % in group 3. Vitamin C was able to increase hydroxyproline concentration and density of collagen and decrease the intra-abdominal adhesion index, as well as the infiltration of neutrophils and oxidative damage to proteins in malnourished rats compared to group treated with vehicle.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative vitamin C supplementation can improve the intestinal anastomosis healing, biochemical alterations, and prolong survival in rats subjected to food restriction.
Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathophysiology, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, Brazil.
Lucineia Gainski
LG
Danielski
Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathophysiology, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, Brazil.
Eduardo
E
Walczewski
Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathophysiology, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, Brazil.
Clovisa Reck
CR
de Jesus
Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathophysiology, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, Brazil.
Drielly
D
Florentino
Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathophysiology, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, Brazil.
Amanda Della
AD
Giustina
Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathophysiology, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, Brazil.
Mariana Pereira
MP
Goldim
Group of Research in Pharmaceutical Technology TECFARMA, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, Brazil.
Luiz Alberto
LA
Kanis
Department of Pathology, Federal University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Gregório W
GW
Pereira
Institute of Pathological Anatomy and Histopathology DI-PREVER, Tubarão, SC, Brazil.
Volnei D
VD
Pereira
Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathophysiology, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, Brazil.
Francine
F
Felisberto
Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathophysiology, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, Brazil. fabricia.petronilho@unisul.br.
Fabricia
F
Petronilho
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D011300:Preoperative Care; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012007:Rectum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003094:Collagen; D009195:Peroxidase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D006909:Hydroxyproline
Inflammation; Intestinal anastomosis; Malnutrition; Oxidative stress; Vitamin C