Effect of steroid on mitochondrial oxidative stress enzymes, intestinal microflora, and bacterial translocation in rats subjected to temporary liver inflow occlusion

Protective effects of steroids against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury are well known, but there is little information about the influence of temporary inflow occlusion on intestinal barrier function or bacterial translocation. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effects on liver, kidney, spleen, ileal mitochondrial stress enzymes, and bacterial translocation of methylprednisolone (MP) in rats undergoing temporary liver inflow occlusion. Twenty-seven pathogen-free Wistar albino rats were randomized into three groups: group A: I/R (n = 10); group B: I/R + MP (n = 10); and group C: sham (n = 7). Rats in groups A and B were subjected to 20 minutes of portal vein and hepatic artery occlusion with 3 mg/kg MP injected into group B animals intraperitoneally during the occlusion. Twenty-two hours later, all rats were sacrificed to measure mitochondrial oxidative stress enzymes in liver, kidney, spleen, and ileum. We evaluated intestinal bacterial counts, intestinal mucosal histopathology, bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), liver, spleen, and kidney. Decreased levels of malondialdehyde and increased levels of glutathione were observed in all examined tissues of group B compared to those of group A rats. Statistically significant increases in the intestinal counts of Klebsiella spp and Proteus spp and of bacterial translocation to liver, kidney, spleen, and MLN were measured in group B with respect to group A.