The value of endothelin 1 in the early diagnosis of severe intestinal strangulation

Several markers such as alkaline phosphtase, 1 creatinine phosphokinase, 2 and lactate dehydrogenase 3 and procalcitonin (Pct) serum levels have been proposed for the early diagnosis of intestinal ischaemia. 4 Plasma levels of endothelin 1 (ET1) have been recently associated with cardiac ischaemia. 5 It has also been reported that ET1 plays a central role in the pathophysiology of intestinal ischaemic injury. 6 Wang et al 7 recently reported that ligation of mesenteric vessels caused an increase in serum ET1 levels in rats. According to the analysis of histopathological grading of ischaemic injury, the ischaemia group samples were graded as follows: at 30 min, 2 samples of grade I; at 60 min, 8 of grade II and 2 of grade I; at 180 min, 3 of grade II and 8 of grade III; and, finally, at 360 min 1 of grade I and 10 of grade IV.