Does Erythropoietin Protect the Intestine against Ischemic/Reperfusion Injury in Rabbits?

The protective effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on intestinal ischemic/reperfusion injury has been less studied. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether EPO has protective effects on the intestinal ischemic/reperfusion injury in rabbits. Thirty healthy male New Zealand white rabbits underwent clamping of the superior mesenteric artery for 60 minutes. Then, the animals were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (n=15) and the EPO-treated group (n=15). In the EPO-treated group, subcutaneous EPO (1000 IU/kg) was given 10 minutes before clamping, 30 minutes after clamping and immediately before declamping. Likewise, subcutaneous saline was injected as placebo in the control group. Blood sampling was performed before, at 2, 6 and 12 h after ischemic/reperfusion injury for biochemical analysis including interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) measurements. At 2, 6 and 12 hours after ischemic/reperfusion injury, a segment of distal part of the terminal ileum was surgically resected from the ischemic intestine for light microscopic study. At 2 and 6 hours after the ischemic/reperfusion injury, the mean plasma levels of IL-6 in the EPO-treated group were lower than those in the controls (P<0.05). However, the mean TNF-α levels were lower in the control group at 2 hours after the injury (P=0.01). In the EPO-treated group, the mean levels of IL-6 at 6 hours after the ischemic/reperfusion injury were significantly higher than those at 2 hours after the injury (P=0.02). Furthermore, the mean levels of IL-6 at 12 hours after the ischemic/reperfusion injury were significantly higher compared with those at 2 hours after the injury (P=0.04). Histopathological assessment revealed that Park’s score at 12 hours after the ischemic/reperfusion injury was significantly lower in the EPO-treated group compared with the control group (P=0.001). In conclusion, EPO might exert a protective effect against ischemic/reperfusion injury in the rabbit model of intestinal ischemia. [Hashemzadeh S, Hashemzadeh K, Somi MH, Nosrati R, Halimi M, Aligholipour R, Ghabili K. Does Erythropoietin Protect the Intestine against Ischemic/Reperfusion Injury in Rabbits? Life Sci J 2012;9(4):4791-4795] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 720