Oxidative Stress and Lipid Peroxidation in the Ischemic Small Intestine: Pathological and Biochemical Evaluation in a Rat model of Superior Mesenteric Ischemia.

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the role of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in acute mesenteric ischemia. Thirty male Wistar albino rats weighing 240-260 g were randomized into control (no operation), sham (operation without ischemia), and ischemia groups. To induce ischemia, the superior mesenteric artery was sutured. Total antioxidant and oxidant capacity and lipid peroxidase activity were measured in blood samples collected at 0 min, 60 min, and 240 min, and the pathology of ileum segments resected at 240 min was evaluated. Total oxidant status did not differ among the groups. Total antioxidant status increased significantly with time in the ischemia group compared to the control and sham groups (P < 0.001). Although basal arylesterase activity was lower in the ischemia group than controls (P < 0.05), post-ischemia values were similar among the groups. Similarly, basal and stimulated paraoxonase activity in blood samples did not differ among the groups. In conclusion, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation have no significant role in the pathophysiology of acute mesenteric ischemia.