Tempol prevents harmful effects of remote ischemia reperfusion injury on healing of experimental colonic anastomoses

Background and aims Tempol (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl) is a water-soluble analogue of the spin label TEMPO. As an antioxidative agent, it is a member of nitroxides, which detoxifies superoxide and possibly other toxic radicals in vivo. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether tempol prevents harmful systemic effects of superior mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion on left colonic anastomosis in rats. Materials and methods Anastomosis of the left colon was performed in 30 rats that were divided into three groups each having ten animals: sham-operated control (group I), 60 min of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion by superior mesenteric artery occlusion (group II), and tempol-treated group (30 mg/kg before and after the ischemia-reperfusion (group III). On postoperative day 5, all animals were killed and anastomotic bursting pressures were measured in vivo. Tissue samples were obtained for further investigation of anastomotic hydroxyproline content, perianastomotic malondialdehyde, and glutathione levels. Results There was a statistically significant increase in the quantity of myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde levels in group II, along with a decrease in glutathione levels, anastomotic hydroxyproline content, and bursting pressure values when compared to controls. However, all of the investigated parameters were normalized in tempol-treated animals (group III). Conclusion We conclude that tempol significantly prevents harmful systemic effects of reperfusion injury on colonic anastomoses in a rat model of superior mesenteric artery occlusion.