Cytoprotective effect of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin (PGE2) on ischemic splanchnic injuries in the rat.

Cytoprotective effect of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was studied on splanchnic ischemia in rats. The superior mesenteric artery or the vascular pedicle to the isolated right hepatic lobe was occluded for 30 min, respectively, 1 or 2 h. Groups of rats were pretreated with PGE2 in a dose of 5 micrograms/kg b.w. 30 min before induction of ischemia. Ischemic damage was assessed by release of the lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase and ALAT into circulation, the enzyme content in ischemic bowel and histology. Small bowel ischemia induced a marked enzyme release, a decrease of enzyme and protein content in the ischemic mucosa and typical histologic alterations. These findings were abolished in rats pretreated with PGE2. Occlusion of the vascular pedicle of the right hepatic lobe also caused enzyme release and histologic changes, but these were not affected by pretreatment with PGE2. PGE2 has a protective effect on small bowel ischemia and the observations support the concept that PGE2 may act by stabilization of cellular cytomembranes. No effect was observed on ischemic liver cell injury and this type of cell injury may be caused by other disturbances of cell function besides altered membrane function.