THE EFFECTS OF ALFA-TOCOPHEROL, ASCORBIC ACID AND PENTOXIFYLLINE ON BACTERIAL TRANSLOCATION IN COMMON BILE DUCT LIGATED RATS

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of alfa-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and pentoxifylline on the bacterial translocation in an animal model of obstructive jaundice. Prolonged biliary obstruction gives rise to numerous changes in the liver and the host defense system. The increased biliary duct pressure may induce translocation of bacteria from the biliary tract into bloodstream and lymphatic system. Fifty rats were randomized into 5 groups containing 10 rats each. All rats were initially anaesthetized by intramuscularly injection of Ketamine (25 mg/kg). The abdomen was opened and the common bile duct was identified and divided after ligation using 5-0 silk. Sham operated rats (group 1) had a similar incision followed by mobilization of the common bile duct, without ligation or division. In group 2 rats, only common bile duct ligation was performed. In group 3, 4 and 5 rats common bile duct ligation was performed and alfa-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and pentoxifylline were administered for 21 days. The animals were sacrificed at the end of the 21^st day, and serum levels of total bilirubin, ALT, AST, ALP and GGT were measured. Mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen and blood were cultured. The bacterial translocations of rats in groups 1-5 were 0%, 82.5%, 25%, 30% and 20%, respectively. Bacterial translocation significantly increased in the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen and blood of rats in group 2 compared to group 1 (p<0.001). Bacterial translocations of the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen and blood in group 2 was significantly higher than those of group 3-5 (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between treatment groups (p>0.05). The predominant pathogens obtained from the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen and blood were Esherichia coll (42.9%), Klebsiella spp. (23.8%) and Proteus spp. (19%). The bacterial counts, colony-forming units per gram tissue (cfu/g), were found significantly higher in mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen and blood of rats in group 2 than those of group 3, 4 and 5 (p=0.001). The present experimental study has demonstrated that, during obstructive jaundice, administration of alfa-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and pentoxifylline reduce the incidence of bacterial translocation.