Bacterial translocation to kidney in rats with intestinal obstruction and the role of nitric oxide.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Bacterial translocation (BT) is the passage of viable indigenous bacteria from one site to another, such as from gastrointestinal tract to the normally sterile regional mesenteric lymph nodes and than other internal organs. In this study we aimed to investigate the BT to kidney and the protective effect of nitric oxide (NO) inhibition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 40 adult male Wistar albino rats weighing 320-350g were divided into four equal groups. Group 1 (n = 10) control group, group-2 (n = 10) sham control, group-3 (n = 10) simple obstruction, in which ileum was ligated 1-2 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve, group-4 (n = 10), simple obstruction and treated with L-NAME. Twenty four hour after the operation rats were sacrificed and kidneys were removed by sterile manner and trunk blood obtained for NO analysis. BT was defined as any positive culture from the blood and kidney. Results were compared with Mann- Whitney U test. RESULTS: NO levels in control, sham group, simple obstruction group and obstruction plus L-NAME treated group were 14.04 +/- 0.65 micromol/L, 13.03 +/- 0.080 micromol/L, 31.17 +/- 0.40 micromol/L and 12.24 +/- 0.70 micromol/L, respectively. Renal culture results were negative in all controls and sham operated rats. However, all culture results were positive in obstruction group and in 4 in L-NAME-treated group. The most common microorganism that translocated was E. coli. CONCLUSION: This experimental study shows that BT to rat rat kidneys occurs in bowel obstruction and this can be inhibited by a NO inhibitor, L-NAME. Further studies are needed to define the clinical significance of these findings on urinary tract infection.