Effects of Prostaglandin E1 and E2 Analogues on Mucosal Injury-Induced, and on Bacterial Translocation Promoted by, Experimental Intestinal Obstruction

The aim of this experimental study was to investigate effects of prostaglandin E1 and E2 analogues on mucosal structure and bacterial translocation during small bowel obstruction. The study was carried out on 40 Wistar rats equally divided into four groups; group 1 = control, group 2 = intestinal obstruction by ligation of distal ileum, and groups 3 and 4 = obstruction and administration of PGE2 and PGE1, respectively. Intestinal bacterial content and translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes and to the blood were determined by microbiological analysis. Mucosal structural changes were assessed by histopathological examination and expressed as a structural damage score and as the thickness of the mucosal layer. Bacterial overgrowth was determined in all obstruction groups. Mucosal thickness was 39.7 μm in group 1 and 26.8 μm in group 2 (p< .001). The thickness was significantly preserved by administration of PGE1 and PGE2 (p< .001). Mean structural damage score was 0.4 in group 1 and 6.7 in group 2 (p< .001). The damage scores were significantly lower in groups treated with PGE1 and PGE2 than obstruction alone group (p< .001). Better scores were obtained in rats treated with PGE1 than rats treated with PGE2 (p= .0026). Translocation to the lymph nodes did not occur in group 1, but was 70% in group 2 (p= .0015); significantly lower rates of translocation to lymph nodes were observed in rats treated with PGE1 (p= .035), but not with PGE2. We conclude that mucosal structure is partly maintained by administration of PGE1 and PGE2 during intestinal obstruction; PGE1 is more effective than PGE2 for ameliorating mucosal injury. PGE1 prevents bacterial translocation by preserving structural integrity of the mucosa. PGE2 partially prevents mucosal damage but not bacterial translocation.