Females Are More Resistant to Ischemia-Reperfusion-induced Intestinal Injury Than Males: A Human Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Sex differences in responses to intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) have been recognized in animal studies. We aimed to investigate sexual dimorphism in human small intestinal mucosal responses to IR. METHODS: In 16 patients (8 men and 8 women) undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, an isolated part of jejunum was subjected to IR. In each patient, intestinal tissue and blood was collected directly after 45 minutes of ischemia without reperfusion (45I-0R), after 30 minutes of reperfusion (45I-30R), and after 120 minutes of reperfusion (45I-120R), as well as a control sample not exposed to IR, to assess epithelial damage, unfolded protein response (UPR) activation, and inflammation. RESULTS: More extensive intestinal epithelial damage was observed in males compared to females. Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) arteriovenous (V-A) concentrations differences were significantly higher in males compared to females at 45I-0R (159.0 [41.0-570.5] ng/mL vs 46.9 [0.3-149.9] ng/mL). Male intestine showed significantly higher levels of UPR activation than female intestine, as well as higher number of apoptotic Paneth cells per crypt at 45I-30R (16.4% [7.1-32.1] vs 10.6% [0.0-25.4]). The inflammatory response in male intestine was significantly higher compared to females, with a higher influx of neutrophils per villus at 45I-30R (4.9 [3.1-12.0] vs 3.3 [0.2-4.5]) and a higher gene expression of TNF-α and IL-10 at 45I-120R. CONCLUSION: The human female small intestine seems less susceptible to IR-induced tissue injury than the male small intestine. Recognition of such differences could lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies to reduce IR-associated morbidity and mortality.

SM22 a Plasma Biomarker for Human Transmural Intestinal Ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic potential of smooth muscle protein of 22 kDa (SM22) as plasma biomarker for the detection of transmural intestinal ischemia. BACKGROUND: Acute mesenteric ischemia is an abdominal emergency requiring rapid diagnosis and treatment. Especially, detection of transmural damage is imperative because it mandates emergency surgery. Since early clinical and radiological signs are nonspecific, there is an urgent need for accurate biomarkers. SM22 is a potential marker for transmural damage because of its abundant expression in intestinal smooth muscles. METHODS: SM22 concentrations were measured using a newly built enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. SM22 release was assessed in plasma and intestinal tissue of rats subjected to intestinal ischemia. Blood and tissue were sampled at baseline and followed up to 24 hours of ischemia. Next, organ-specific SM22 arteriovenous concentration differences were studied in both rats and patients. Finally, plasma from patients with intestinal ischemia, other acute abdominal complaints, and healthy volunteers were tested for SM22. RESULTS: SM22 concentrations were significantly elevated in rats from 4 hours of ischemia onwards. Furthermore, SM22 plasma concentrations closely paralleled the histological increasing degree of intestinal smooth muscle damage. Arteriovenous calculations showed that SM22 was specifically released by the intestines and renally cleared. First data of SM22 release in man demonstrated that patients with transmural intestinal ischemia had significantly higher plasma SM22 levels than patients with only ischemic mucosal injury, other acute abdominal diseases, or healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that SM22 is released into the circulation upon severe ischemia of the intestinal muscle layers. Plasma levels of SM22 are potentially useful for the detection of transmural intestinal damage.

Cyclooxygenase-2 Is Essential for Colorectal Anastomotic Healing.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of COX-2 on colonic surgical wound healing. BACKGROUND: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a key enzyme in gastrointestinal homeostasis. COX-2 inhibitors have been associated with colonic anastomotic leakage. METHODS: Wildtype, COX-2 knockout and COX-2 heterozygous mice were subjected to a model of colonic anastomotic leakage, and were treated with vehicle, diclofenac, or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), the most important COX-2 product in the intestine. We assessed anastomotic leakage, mortality, angiogenesis, and inflammation. Furthermore, we investigated the association between anastomotic leakage and a human polymorphism of the COX-2 gene resulting in low COX-2 levels. RESULTS: Diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug inhibiting COX-2, increased anastomotic leakage compared to vehicle-treated mice (100% vs 25%, respectively). Similarly, 92% of COX-2-deficient mice developed anastomotic leakage (P = 0.003) compared to WT. PGE2 partly rescued this severe phenotype because only 46% of PGE2-administered COX-2 knockout mice developed anastomotic leakage (P = 0.02). This may be related to decreased neovascularization, because decreased CD31 staining, indicating less blood vessels, was observed in COX-2 mice (2 vessels/mm vs 6 vessels/mm in controls (P = 0.03)). This effect could partly be reversed by administration of PGE2 to COX-2 mice. No significant differences in inflammation were found. PTGS2-765G>C polymorphism in humans, associated with reduced COX-2 expression, was associated with higher anastomotic leakage rates. CONCLUSIONS: COX-2-induced PGE2 production is essential for intestinal wound healing after colonic surgery, possibly via its effects on angiogenesis. These data emphasize that COX-2 inhibitors should be avoided after colonic surgery, and administration of PGE2 might be favorable for a selection of patients.

Plasma intestinal fatty acid-binding protein levels correlate with morphologic epithelial intestinal damage in a human translational ischemia-reperfusion model.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) is a useful marker in the detection of intestinal ischemia. However, more insight into the test characteristics of I-FABP release is needed. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma I-FABP levels and the severity of ischemic mucosal injury, and define the clinical usefulness of systemic I-FABP following ischemia. METHODS: In a human experimental model, 6 cm of the jejunum, to be removed for surgical reasons, was selectively exposed to either 15, 30, or 60 minutes of ischemia (I) followed by 30 and 120 minutes of reperfusion (R). Blood and tissue was sampled at all time points. Arteriovenous (V-A) concentration differences of I-FABP were measured. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin/eosin, and villus height was measured to score epithelial damage. RESULTS: Histologic analysis showed only minor reversible intestinal damage following 15 I and 30 I; however, severe irreversible epithelial damage was observed in the jejunum exposed to 60 I. I-FABP V-A differences paralleled the degree of tissue damage over time [7.79 (± 1.8) ng/mL, 128.6 (± 44.2) ng/mL, 463.3 (± 139.8) ng/mL for 15 I, 30 I and 60 I, respectively]. A good correlation was found between histologic epithelial damage and V-A I-FABP (r=-0.82, P<0.001). Interestingly, systemic I-FABP levels were significantly increased after 60 I of this short small intestinal segment. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the relationship between the duration of ischemia and the extent of tissue damage, which is reflected by I-FABP V-A plasma levels. In addition, systemic I-FABP levels appear valuable in detecting irreversible intestinal ischemia-reperfusion damage.

Evaluating the safety of two human experimental intestinal ischemia reperfusion models: A retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: We developed a jejunal and colonic experimental human ischemia-reperfusion (IR) model to study pathophysiological intestinal IR mechanisms and potential new intestinal ischemia biomarkers. Our objective was to evaluate the safety of these IR models by comparing patients undergoing surgery with and without in vivo intestinal IR. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed comparing complication rates and severity, based on the Clavien-Dindo classification system, in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy with (n = 10) and without (n = 20 matched controls) jejunal IR or colorectal surgery with (n = 10) and without (n = 20 matched controls) colon IR. Secondary outcome parameters were operative time, blood loss, 90-day mortality and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Following pancreatic surgery, 63% of the patients experienced one or more postoperative complications. There was no significant difference in incidence or severity of complications between patients undergoing pancreatic surgery with (70%) or without (60%, P = 0.7) jejunal IR. Following colorectal surgery, 60% of the patients experienced one or more postoperative complication. Complication rate and severity were similar in patients with (50%) and without (65%, P = 0.46) colonic IR. Operative time, amount of blood loss, postoperative C-reactive protein, length of hospital stay or mortality were equal in both intervention and control groups for jejunal and colon IR. CONCLUSION: This study showed that human experimental intestinal IR models are safe in patients undergoing pancreatic or colorectal surgery.

Serological markers for human intestinal ischemia: A systematic review.

Early and accurate diagnosis of intestinal ischemia is important in order to provide rapid and correct treatment and reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Clinical signs and symptoms are often unspecific. This systemic review sums up literature regarding human plasma biomarkers for acute mesenteric ischemia reported during the last ten years. Classic, general markers, including lactate, white cell count, base excess, show poor diagnostic accuracy for intestinal ischemia. Preliminary results for ischemia-modified albumin are promising, which is also true for the inflammatory marker procalcitonin. Best diagnostic accuracy is described for D-dimer, a-Glutathione S-transferase (a-GST) and Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP), reflecting coagulation activity and mucosal damage respectively. Future studies should be directed at phase four questions (Do patients who undergo the diagnostic test fare better (in their ultimate health outcomes) than similar patients who do not?) for these markers and the identification of additional, novel plasma biomarkers signaling various types and stages of intestinal ischemia.

Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of plasma markers for early diagnosis in patients suspected for acute appendicitis.

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of two novel biomarkers, calprotectin (CP) and serum amyloid A (SAA), along with the more traditional inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC), in patients suspected of having acute appendicitis (AA). The secondary objective was to compare diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers with a clinical scoring system and radiologic imaging. METHODS: A total of 233 patients with suspected AA, presenting to the emergency department (ED) between January 2010 and September 2010, and 52 healthy individuals serving as controls, were included in the study. Blood was drawn and CP and SAA-1 concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CRP and WBC concentrations were routinely measured and retrospectively abstracted from the electronic health record, together with physical examination findings and radiologic reports. The Alvarado score was calculated as a clinical scoring system for AA. Final diagnosis of AA was based on histopathologic examination. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for between-group comparisons. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to measure the diagnostic accuracy for the tests and to determine the best cutoff points. RESULTS: Seventy-seven of 233 patients (33%) had proven AA. Median plasma levels for CP and SAA-1 were significantly higher in patients with AA than in those with another final diagnosis (CP, 320.9 ng/mL vs. 212.9 ng/mL; SAA-1, 30 mg/mL vs. 0.6 mg/mL; p < 0.001). CRP and WBC were significantly higher in patients with AA as well. The Alvarado score was helpful at the extremes (<3 or >7). Ultrasound (US) had a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 94%. Computed tomography (CT) had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 91%. The area under the ROC (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 0.67 (95% CI = 0.60 to 0.74) for CP, 0.76 (95% CI = 0.70 to 0.82) for SAA, 0.71 (95% CI = 0.64 to 0.78) for CRP, and 0.79 (95% CI = 0.73 to 0.85) for WBC. No cutoff points had high enough sensitivity and specificity to accurately diagnose AA. However, a high sensitivity of 97% was shown at 7.5 × 10(9) /L for WBC and 0.375 mg/mL for SAA. CONCLUSIONS: CP, SAA-1, CRP, and WBC were significantly elevated in patients with AA. None had cutoff points that could accurately discriminate between AA and other pathology in patients with suspected AA. A WBC < 7.5 × 10(9) /L, with a low level of clinical suspicion for AA, can identify a subgroup of patients who may be sent home without further evaluation, but who should have available next-day follow-up.