Morphological charateristics and mineral alterations of adult rat intestinal mucosa during intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury, with special emphasis on the possible prophylactic role of melatonin.

Abstract

Ischemia/reperfusion injury has many hazardous repercussions on viable tissues that may affect various systems in the body such as cardiovascular, urinary and digestive system. Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury leads to activated endothelial cells in the microcirculation that produce many harmful oxygen radicals, leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and release of inflammatory mediators such as platelet-activating factor and tumor necrosis factor. Moreover, an interrupted metabolism of endothelial cell-derived nitric oxide eventually leading microvascular dysfunction and cell injury that eventually may end up with cell death. The present study aimed at elucidating the morphological and mineral alterations of the rat intestinal mucosa induced by intestinal ischemic/reperfusion injury. Moreover, comparing between the ameliorating effect of physical preconditioning and the chemical one produced by melatonin administration. Seven groups of male adult rats, five rats each were used in the present study. Group (I) was the control group, Group (II) was the sham group, Group (III) was subjected for thirty minutes ischemia, Group (IV) was subjected for thirty minutes ischemia followed by a reperfusion fo