Amelioration of intestinal reperfusion injury by moderate hypothermia is associated with serum sICAM-1 levels

Abstract

Background. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of moderate hypothermia on various serum markers involving in inflammation after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR). Materials and methods. The model of 30 min intestinal ischemia +90 min reperfusion was used. Three groups of rats were studied, n = 7-8 per group: 1) sham at normothermia, 36.5 to 37.5°C; 2) IR at normothermia and; 3) IR at moderate hypothermia, 32 to 33°C. Serum levels of TNF-α, lipopolysaccharide-inducible CXC chemokine (LIX), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were determined using ELISA technique. Histological features of terminal ileum were also graded. Results. Intestinal IR at normothermia caused remarkable tissue injury together with an elevation in serum TNF-α, LIX, and sICAM-1 levels. Moderate hypothermia significantly decreased the degree of mucosal damage and attenuated the elevation of serum sICAM-1 levels. However, there were no significant differences in serum TNF-α and LIX levels between IR at normothermia and IR at hypothermia. Conclusions. Intestinal IR at normothermia induces the elevation of serum TNF-α, LIX, and sICAM-1 levels. Moderate hypothermia protects the small intestine from reperfusion injury. This beneficial effect is associated with serum sICAM-1 levels but not with serum TNF-α and LIX levels. We speculate that one of the mechanisms, by which hypothermia blunts the tissue injury, is at the step of firm adhesion between leukocytes and endothelial cells. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.