Diagnostic value of plasma cytokine levels in acute mesenteric ischemia: an experimental study

Frequency of mortality in patients with superior mesenteric artery occlusion is still high due to difficulties in current diagnosis. The initial symptoms of acute intestinal ischemia is non-specific and indistinguishable from acute abdomen. Regardless of the etiology, the time interval between diagnosis and therapy determines the prognosis of acute intestinal ischemia. Our purpose in this study was to compare serum leukocyte levels and cytokine gradients to evaluate their prognostic values in the early diagnosis of acute intestinal ischemia. In this study 80 rats were divided into 4 groups as control, laparatomy, strangulation, and superior mesenteric artery occlusion groups. Serum IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα and blood leukocyte levels were measured and the resected intestinal specimens were histopathologically evaluated for intestinal ischemia and tissue necrosis. The results showed an increase in cytokine levels in parallel with tissue ischemia. We believe that, although not specific for intestinal ischemia, serum IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα levels may be used as an early indicator of intestinal ischemia if rapid analysis techniques are developed.