Effects of glutamine and curcumin on bacterial translocation in jaundiced rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of curcumin on bacterial translocation and oxidative damage in an obstructive jaundice model and compare the results to glutamine, an agent known to be effective and clinically used. METHODS: Twenty-four female Wistar-Albino rats, weighing 200-250 g, were randomly divided into three groups (8 in each group). After ligation of the common bile duct in all animals, GroupⅠ received oral normal saline, Group Ⅱ received oral glutamine and Group Ⅲ received oral curcumin for seven days. Blood samples via cardiac puncture, tissue samples (terminal ileum, liver and mesenteric lymph node) and peritoneal fluid were obtained from the animals at the time of death to investigate bacterial translocation and oxidative damage. RESULTS: We observed that both glutamine and curcumin reduced bacterial translocation in blood, hepatocellular damage, plasma cytokine levels, oxidative tissue damage and apoptosis significantly compared to the control group. Additionally, glutamine showed protective effects on ileal epithelium and reduced villus atrophy. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these findings, both curcumin and glutamine are thought to be effective in preventing or reducing bacterial translocation and oxidative damage in obstructive jaundice.

Effect of growth hormone,hyperbaric oxygen and combined therapy on the gastric serosa

AIM:To investigate the role of growth hormone(GH),hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT) and combined therapy on the intestinal neomucosa formation of the gastric serosa.METHODS:Forty-eight male Wistar-albino rats,weighing 250-280 g,were used in this study.The rats were divided into four groups(n = 12):Group 1,control,gastric serosal patch;Group 2,gastric serosal patch + GH;Group 3,gastric serosal patch + HBOT;and Group 4,gastric serosal patch + GH + HBOT.Abdominal access was achieved through a midline incision,and after the 1-cm-long defect was created in the jejunum,a 1 cm × 1 cm patch of the gastric corpus was anastomosed to the jejunal defect.Venous blood samples were taken to determine the insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3(IGFBP-3) basal levels.HBOT was performed in Groups 3 and 4.In Groups 2 and 4,human GH was given subcutaneously at a dose of 2 mg per kg/d for 28 d,beginning on the operation day.All animals were sacrificed 60 d after surgery.The jejunal segment and the gastric anastomotic area were excised for histological examination.The inflammatory process,granulation,collagen deposition and fibroblast activity at the neomucosa formation were studied and scored.Additionally,the villus density,villus height,and crypt depth were counted and recorded.The measurements of villus height and crypt depth were calculated with an ocular micrometer.New vessel growth was determined by calculatingeach new vessel in a 1 mm 2 area.RESULTS:In the histological comparison of groups,no significant differences were observed between the control group and Groups 2 and 3 with respect to epithelialization,granulation,fibroblastic activity and the inflammatory process,but significant differences were present between the control group and all others groups(Groups 2-4) with respect to angiogenesis(P < 0.01) and collagen deposition(P < 0.05,P < 0.01).Significant differences between the control group and Group 4 were also observed with respect to epithelialization and fibroblastic activity(P < 0.01 and P < 0.05,respectively).There were significant differences in villus density in all of groups compared with the control group(P < 0.05).Crypt depth was significantly greater in Group 4 than in the control group(P < 0.05),but no other groups had deeper crypts.However,villus height was significantly longer in Groups 2 and 4 than in the control group(P < 0.05).The comparison of groups revealed,significant difference between control group and Groups 2 and 4) with respect to the levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3(P < 0.01) 3 wk after the operation.CONCLUSION:HBOT or GH and combined therapy augmented on neomucosal formation.The use of combined therapy produced a synergistic effect on the histological,morphological and functional parameters.

Meckel's diverticulum manifested by a subcutaneous abscess

This case report describes an extremely rare complication of a Meckel's diverticulum:enterocutaneous fistula of the diverticulum.The presence of Meckel's diverticulum is a well known entity,but subcutaneous perforation of the diverticulum is very rare.Here we report the case of a patient with the complaint of a right lower quadrant abscess,preoperatively diagnosed as enterocutaneous fistula,which was determined intraoperatively to be a fistula resulting from Meckel's diverticulum.