Effect of sildenafil on intestinal adaptation parameters in a rat model of short bowel syndrome

T. Bilecik, C. Ensari, B. Mayir, T. Cakir, E. Minareci, U. Arslan, T. Oruc, R. Eryilmaz

Department of Surgery, Sinop State Hospital, Sinop, Turkey. tbilecik@yahoo.com

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• Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effect of sildenafil on the intestinal adaptation in short bowel syndrome (SBS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar-albino rats (weight, 231-390 g) were randomly divided into four groups with 12 rats in each. Group TA had only ileal transection+anastomosis, Group TA+S was given sildenafil after ileal transection+anastomosis, Group RA had a resection of 75% of the small bowel+anastomosis, Group RA+S was given sildenafil after small bowel resection+anastomosis. Sildenafil was injected subcutaneously at 60 mg/kg/day dose throughout 3–21 days postoperatively. Bowel and mucosal weights, villus height, crypt depth, DNA and protein concentrations were determined.

RESULTS: Jejunal bowel weight was lower in TA and TA+S groups than RA and RA+S groups (p < 0.05). RA+S group had higher ileal and jejunal mucosal weights than RA and TA+S groups (p < 0.05). Villus height was highest in RA+S group both in ileum and jejunum (466.1 ± 38.6 μm and 648.1 ± 65.7 μm, respectively). Jejunal crypt depth was highest in RA+S group (255.1 ± 21.9 μm) compared to other groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in ileal and jejunal protein concentration between TA and TA+S groups and in ileal protein concentration between RA ve RA+S groups (p > 0.05). Ileal DNA concentration was higher in TA+S group, and jejunal DNA concentration was higher in RA and RA+S groups than TA and TA+S groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil has a positive effect on intestinal adaptation parameters, particularly in jejunum in a rat SBS model. Thus, its role in the treatment of SBS should be further investigated with clinical studies.

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