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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Post operative neutrophilic inflammation in equine small int...
Equine veterinary journal2005; 37(4); 329-335; doi: 10.2746/0425164054529472

Post operative neutrophilic inflammation in equine small intestine after manipulation and ischaemia.

Abstract: Post operative ileus (POI) remains an important cause of post operative morbidity and mortality in the horse. However, clinical progression of naturally occurring cases of POI in both horse and man does not entirely support the 'neurogenic' hypothesis as the sole mechanism of POI; and the hypothesis that inflammation plays a major role at 12-24 h after surgery requires validation. Objective: An inflammatory infiltrate in the muscularis externa and myenteric plexus of equine jejunum is present 18 h following a period of ischaemia. Methods: Samples of normal jejunum, jejunum from the proximal resection margins of clinical cases and jejunum obtained 18 h after 1 or 2 h ischaemia or manipulation alone were evaluated for neutrophil infiltration. Samples obtained 18 h after surgery were additionally evaluated for leucocyte activation using calprotectin immunohistochemistry. Results were evaluated by ANOVA and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Significant neutrophilic inflammation was identified in the samples from the proximal resection margins of clinical cases compared to uninjured jejunum. In experimental cases, neutrophilic inflammation appeared to be increased further by 18 h and was identified through all intestinal layers, particularly in the serosa, fascial planes around circular and longitudinal muscle fibres, and myenteric plexus. This elevated level of neutrophilic inflammation was mirrored by an increased number of calprotectin-positive cells in these intestinal layers, indicating leucocyte activation. Conclusions: Significant neutrophilic inflammation occurs in equine jejunal myenteric layers 18 h after surgery. Conclusions: This neutrophilic inflammation coincides with the clinical time point at which POI is identified and may indicate that inflammatory pathways, rather than solely neurogenic pathways, are responsible for POI in the horse.
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Publication Date: 2005-07-21 PubMed ID: 16028622DOI: 10.2746/0425164054529472Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research seeks to validate the hypothesis that inflammation, rather than just neurogenic factors, contributes significantly to post-operative ileus (POI) in horses. The study shows that neutrophilic inflammation in the horse’s small intestine increases after surgery and may be connected to POI onset.

Objective and Methods

  • The research’s main objective was to verify the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate in the muscular layers and myenteric plexus of equine jejunum 18 hours after a period of ischaemia (restriction in blood supply).
  • The researchers compiled samples of normal jejunum, such as the jejunum from the proximal resection margins of clinical cases and jejunum obtained 18 hours after 1 or 2 hours of ischaemia or manipulation alone.
  • The collected samples were evaluated for the presence and extent of neutrophil infiltration.
  • Further, the samples obtained 18 hours after surgery were assessed for leucocyte activation using calprotectin immunohistochemistry.

Results and Interpretation

  • A significant amount of neutrophilic inflammation was identified in the samples from the proximal resection margins of clinical cases compared to the uninjured jejunum.
  • It was observed that in experimental cases, the neutrophilic inflammation seemed to increase further by 18 hours and was found through all intestinal layers.
  • This increased neutrophilic inflammation was mirrored by an increased number of calprotectin-positive cells, indicating leucocyte activation.
  • The results were statistically significant with a threshold set at P < 0.05 and evaluated via ANOVA.

Conclusions

  • The study concludes that significant neutrophilic inflammation occurs in the muscular layers of the equine jejunum 18 hours after surgery.
  • The appearance of this inflammation coincides with the clinical time frame in which POI is typically identified, suggesting that inflammatory pathways might play a crucial role in the development of POI in horses, contrary to the belief that neurogenic pathways are the sole contributors.

Cite This Article

APA
Little D, Tomlinson JE, Blikslager AT. (2005). Post operative neutrophilic inflammation in equine small intestine after manipulation and ischaemia. Equine Vet J, 37(4), 329-335. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164054529472

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 37
Issue: 4
Pages: 329-335

Researcher Affiliations

Little, D
  • Colic and Digestive Disease Program, Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, USA.
Tomlinson, J E
    Blikslager, A T

      MeSH Terms

      • Analysis of Variance
      • Animals
      • Horse Diseases / immunology
      • Horses
      • Ileus / immunology
      • Ileus / veterinary
      • Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
      • Ischemia / immunology
      • Ischemia / veterinary
      • Jejunum / blood supply
      • Jejunum / pathology
      • Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / metabolism
      • Neutrophil Infiltration
      • Neutrophils / metabolism
      • Neutrophils / physiology
      • Postoperative Complications / immunology
      • Postoperative Complications / veterinary
      • Postoperative Period
      • Random Allocation

      Citations

      This article has been cited 12 times.
      1. Ruff J, Zetterstrom S, Boone L, Hofmeister E, Smith C, Epstein K, Blikslager A, Fogle C, Burke M. Retrospective analysis of postoperative complications following surgical treatment of ileal impaction in horses managed with manual decompression compared to jejunal enterotomy. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1156678.
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