Early mucosal healing and chronic changes in pony jejunum after various types of strangulation obstruction.
Abstract: Strangulation obstruction was induced in anesthetized ponies for periods of 2 and 3 hours by clamping 45-cm segments of jejunum and their veins only (venous strangulation obstruction, VSO) and arteries and veins (arterial and venous strangulation obstruction, AVSO). These types of strangulation obstruction were studied in 4 segments in each of 4 ponies allowed to survive 12 hours (group 1) and in a single segment in each of 10 ponies allowed to survive 42 days (group 2) after the strangulation period ended. On visual inspection, segments subjected to VSO had hemorrhage and edema in the bowel wall and mesentery and were dark purple after all time intervals. They improved slowly after clamps were removed, but remained hemorrhagic and edematous. Segments subjected to AVSO were purple and had mild edema and scattered petechiae in the bowel wall and mesentery. They improved rapidly and closely resembled normal bowel after 5 minutes of reperfusion. On light and scanning electron microscopy, the mucosa of intestine subjected to VSO and AVSO had necrotic, denuded villi 1 hour after the strangulation periods ended. Twelve hours after removal of occlusion devices in group-1 ponies, 4 (25%) segments were unchanged, 4 (25%) had deteriorated, and 8 (50%) had stunted villus remnants partly or completely lined with regenerating epithelium. Separation and detachment of villus tip mucosal cells were seen in 3 of 4 control segments, 1 and 12 hours after the strangulation periods ended.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1988-06-01 PubMed ID: 3400918
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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The research study examined the effects of two types of strangulation obstruction – only veins (VSO) and both arteries and veins (AVSO), on the intestine of ponies over different time periods. The study revealed different patterns of tissue damage and healing depending on the method and duration of the obstruction.
Study Design and Methodology
- The research involved inducing strangulation obstruction in anesthetized ponies by clamping 45-cm segments of the jejunum (a part of the small intestine) either on the veins alone (VSO) or both arteries and veins (AVSO).
- Two groups of ponies were studied. Group 1 consisted of 4 ponies observed over 12 hours, and group 2 consisted of 10 ponies observed over 42 days after the obstruction period ended.
Results: Visual Observation
- VSO segments exhibited signs of hemorrhage (bleeding) and edema (swelling due to fluid accumulation), changing to a dark purple color even after the clamping was removed. The condition improved slowly but remained in a state of hemorrhage and edema.
- Segments subjected to AVSO turned purple and showed mild edema and patchy small red spots (petechiae) on the bowel wall. These segments, though, rapidly improved and regained their normal appearance after a short reperfusion period of 5 minutes.
Results: Microscopic Analysis
- Under microscopic evaluation, dead and denuded villi (hair-like structures that help absorption in intestines) were observed in the intestines’ mucosa (inner lining) for both VSO and AVSO a hour after the obstruction period ended.
- 12 hours after clamping removal in Group-1 ponies, 25% segments showed no change, another 25% had worsened, and 50% showed regenerating epithelium lining either partially or completely along the remains of the stunted villi.
- Villus tip mucosal cells were observed separating and detaching in majority of control segments, at both 1 and 12 hours after the obstruction periods ended.
Implications of the Study
- The study’s results provide valuable insights into how different types of and durations of strangulation obstructions can affect intestinal health in ponies.
- These findings can be used to develop better therapeutic strategies for managing gastrointestinal obstructions in equine medicine.
Cite This Article
APA
Freeman DE, Cimprich RE, Richardson DW, Gentile DG, Orsini JA, Tulleners EP, Fetrow JP.
(1988).
Early mucosal healing and chronic changes in pony jejunum after various types of strangulation obstruction.
Am J Vet Res, 49(6), 810-818.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348.
MeSH Terms
- Anesthesia, General / veterinary
- Animals
- Female
- Heart Rate
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
- Intestinal Obstruction / pathology
- Intestinal Obstruction / veterinary
- Ischemia / pathology
- Ischemia / veterinary
- Jejunal Diseases / pathology
- Jejunal Diseases / veterinary
- Jejunum / blood supply
- Jejunum / pathology
- Jejunum / ultrastructure
- Male
- Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
- Necrosis
Grant Funding
- SO7 RR05464 / NCRR NIH HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- König KS, Verhaar N, Hopster K, Pfarrer C, Neudeck S, Rohn K, Kästner SBR. Ischaemic preconditioning and pharmacological preconditioning with dexmedetomidine in an equine model of small intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion. PLoS One 2020;15(4):e0224720.
- Mirza MH, Oliver JL, Seahorn TL, Hosgood G, Moore RM. Detection and comparison of nitric oxide in clinically normal horses and those with naturally acquired small intestinal strangulation obstruction. Can J Vet Res 1999 Oct;63(4):230-40.
- Singer ER, Livesey MA, Barker IK, Hurtig MB, Conlon PD. Utilization of the serosal scarification model of postoperative intestinal adhesion formation to investigate potential adhesion-preventing substances in the rabbit. Can J Vet Res 1996 Oct;60(4):305-11.
- Singer ER, Livesey MA, Barker IK, Hurtig MB, Conlon PD. Development of a laboratory animal model of postoperative small intestinal adhesion formation in the rabbit. Can J Vet Res 1996 Oct;60(4):296-304.
- Willette J, Guinn A, Munsterman A. Primary Jejunal Impactions Resolved via Exploratory Celiotomy in Six Horses: 2017-2023. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 12;15(16).
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