Serosal injury in the equine jejunum and ascending colon after ischemia-reperfusion or intraluminal distention and decompression.

The study investigates the changes that occur in the intestinal tissue of horses following artificial induction of ischemia-reperfusion or intraluminal distention-decompression, focusing on two areas: the jejunum and the ascending colon. The research finds that the jejunum undergoes more damage compared to the ascending colon during these conditions.

Methodology

• Seven adult horses were subjected to the experiment.
• General anesthesia and a surgical procedure called ventral median celiotomy were performed on the animals.
• Ischemia (restriction in blood supply) was brought about in a 20-cm segment of jejunum and ascending colon through arteriovenous (AVO) and lumen occlusion for 70 minutes, followed by reperfusion (restoration of blood supply) for 60 minutes.
• Intraluminal distention (internal expansion) was created in a second 20-cm jejunal segment using a pressure of 25 cm H2O and was maintained inside the abdomen for 120 minutes, succeeded by decompression for 120 minutes.
• Biopsy samples were taken from the seromuscular layer of the intestines at the start of the experiment, after the ischemia and reperfusion stages, and after the distention and decompression stages.
• Microscope inspections were done using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.

Results

• Ischemia-reperfusion and intraluminal distention-decompression caused considerable morphological changes to the jejunal seromuscular layer.
• Despite the impairment seen in the jejunum, the ascending colon showed minimal alterations after being subjected to the same period of ischemia and reperfusion.
• The findings suggest that the small intestine (jejunum) is more prone to damage than the ascending colon (part of the large intestine).

Conclusion

• When the conditions of ischemia-reperfusion and intraluminal distention-decompression were experimentally induced, the tissues of the equine jejunum sustained more damage compared to the ascending colon.
• The results of this study contribute to an improved understanding of gastroenterological health in horses. This could influence veterinary practices, specifically those related to treatment strategies for intestinal conditions in these animals.