Effect of amrinone on mucosal permeability in experimental intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND: The preventive effect of amrinone on ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury has been shown in the medical literature. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the preventive effect of amrinone on I/R injury of the small bowel of the rat. METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats (140-180 g) were divided into four groups (n = 8). In all groups except the sham group the superior mesenteric artery was clamped for 30 min. At the beginning of reperfusion, 1 mL of 2405 Bq/mL 51Cr-ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) was administered into the prepared ileal segment. Following 30 min of reperfusion, 1 mL of blood was obtained from the portal vein. After the rats were killed, the small intestine was removed for histopathological studies. A total of 5 mg/kg amrinone was administered to the rats in group 1 before ischaemia and in group 2 before reperfusion, whereas only saline was administered to the rats in the control group. Statistical analysis was carried out with Kruskal-Wallis and chi2 test, P < 0.01 was considered significant. RESULTS: Both the blood 51Cr-EDTA measurements (mean +/- SD) and mucosal injury grades (MIG) were highest in the control group (3.95 +/- 0.71 c.p.m.; MIG, 3-5) followed by group 2 (0.50 +/- 0.35 c.p.m.; MIG, 1-3), group 1 (0.47 +/- 0.34 c.p.m. MIG, 0-3), and sham group (0.12 +/- 0.05 c.p.m.; MIG, 0). The difference between groups 1 and 2 and the control group were statistically significant (P < 0.01 for each comparison). The results of group 1 and 2 were similar statistically (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Amrinone was found to be effective in preventing intestinal I/R injury.