Abstract: The purpose of this study was to observe and characterize colonic and lung lesions in horses subjected to experimental distension and decompression of the small colon. Sixteen healthy adult horses were divided into 2 groups: 9 horses that were subjected to distension of the small colon by means of a latex balloon surgically implanted in the lumen and inflated to a pressure of 40 mm Hg for 4 h, and 7 horses in which the balloon was implanted but not inflated. Colonic biopsy specimens were collected before balloon implantation, at the end of the period of obstruction, and 1.5 and 12 h after decompression and were examined for hemorrhage, edema, and neutrophil infiltration; myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and hemoglobin concentration were measured as well. At the end of the experiment, lung samples were also collected and examined for neutrophil accumulation and MPO activity. The mucosa was not affected by luminal distension; lesions were restricted to the seromuscular layer. Neutrophil accumulation and edema were observed in the samples from both groups of horses but were greater in those from the distension group, in which there was also hemorrhage, fibrin deposition, and increased MPO activity in the seromuscular layer. Similarly, there was greater accumulation of neutrophils in the lung samples from the distension group than in those from the sham-operated group, as determined by histologic evaluation and MPO assay. These findings provide new evidence of reperfusion injury and a systemic inflammatory response, followed by remote lesions, in horses with intestinal obstruction. Le but de cette étude était d’observer et de caractériser les lésions au côlon et au poumon chez des chevaux soumis à une distension et décompression expérimentale du petit côlon. Seize chevaux adultes ont été divisés en 2 groupes : 9 chevaux qui ont été soumis à une distension du petit côlon au moyen d’un ballon de latex implanté chirurgicalement dans la lumière et gonflé à une pression de 40 mm Hg pour 4 h, et 7 chevaux chez qui le ballon a été implanté mais non gonflé. Des spécimens de biopsie du côlon ont été prélevés avant l’implantation du ballon, à la fin de la période d’obstruction et 1,5 et 12 h après décompression et ont été observés pour la présence d’hémorragie, œdème, et infiltration de neutrophiles; l’activité de la myéloperoxidase (MPO) et la concentration d’hémoglobine ont également été mesurées. À la fin de l’expérience, des échantillons de poumon ont été prélevés et examinés pour l’accumulation de neutrophiles et l’activité de la MPO. La muqueuse n’était pas affectée par la distension de la lumière intestinale; les lésions étaient limitées à la couche séromusculaire. L’accumulation de neutrophiles et l’œdème étaient observés dans les échantillons provenant des deux groupes de chevaux mais étaient plus marqués chez les chevaux soumis à une distension, chez qui on observa également des hémorragies, la déposition de fibrine et une activité de la MPO augmentée dans la couche séromusculaire. De manière similaire, il y avait une plus grande accumulation de neutrophiles dans les échantillons de poumon provenant des chevaux du groupe ayant subit une distension que chez les chevaux du groupe témoin, tel que déterminé par l’évaluation histologique et les résultats des épreuves de la MPO. Ces résultats fournissent de nouvelles évidences des dommages de reperfusion et de réponse inflammatoire systémique, suivi de lésions à distance, chez des chevaux avec obstruction intestinale. (Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier)
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Research summary: This study investigated how artificially enlarging and then deflating the lower colon in horses led to damage in both the colon and lungs. It revealed a clear connection between intestinal obstruction and systemic inflammation, that also results in harm to other organs.
Experimental Design and Methodology
The study constituted of sixteen healthy adult horses that were divided into two groups of 9 and 7 horses each.
In the first group, the horses were subjected to artificial distension of the small colon. This was achieved by surgically implanting a latex balloon in the colon and inflating it to a pressure of 40mm Hg for 4 hours.
In the second group, the balloon was implanted in the small colon without being inflated, to serve as the control group for comparison.
Biopsies were collected from the colons of the horses at various stages: before the balloon implantation, after the period of obstruction, and 1.5 and 12 hours after decompression. These specimens were analyzed for signs of hemorrhage, edema, and neutrophil infiltration. Additionally, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and hemoglobin concentration were measured.
At the conclusion of the experiment, lung samples were also collected from the horses for further analysis.
Study Findings and Interpretations
In contrast to initial hypothesis, the mucosa (inner lining of the colon) was not affected by the intentional distension process. The lesions were, however, detected in the seromuscular layer (outer layer of the colon).
Signs of neutrophil accumulation and edema were observed in both groups of horses. However, these symptoms were more prominent in the distension group. The distension group also exhibited hemorrhage and fibrin deposition, along with an increased activity of MPO in the seromuscular layer of the colon.
Similar patterns were observed in lung samples as well, with a heightened accumulation of neutrophils in the compression group. This indicated that the effects of the distension were not limited to the intestinal domain but also extended to other organs such as the lungs.
Relevance and Conclusions
The research presents evidence of reperfusion injury and systemic inflammatory responses in horses subjected to intestinal obstruction.
This systemic inflammation leads to ‘remote lesions’, wherein the harmful effects extend beyond the obstructed region, for instance, to the lungs in this case.
The study gives a novel understanding of the systemic implications of intestinal issues in mammals and can be potentially valuable in treating equine as well as human intestinal abnormalities.
Cite This Article
APA
Faleiros RR, Macoris DG, Alves GE, Souza DG, Teixeira MM, Moore RM.
(2008).
Local and remote lesions in horses subjected to small colon distension and decompression.
Can J Vet Res, 72(1), 68-76.
Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Escola de Veterinària, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 30161-970 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. faleiros@ufmg.br
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