Role of complement activation and mast cell degranulation in the pathogenesis of rapid intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

The aim of th is study is to define the putative role of complement activation and mucosal mast cell (MMC) degranulation in the pathogenesis of rapid ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. We prepared complement activity-depleted rats by the administration of the anti-complementary agent K-76COONa. To assess the role of MMC degranulation, we used the MMC stabilizer MAR-99 and genetically mast cell-deficient Ws/Ws rats. Autoperfused segments of the jejunum were exposed to 60 min of ischemia, followed by 60 min reperfusion. The epithelial permeability was assessed by Cr-51-EDTA clearance rate, and the number of MMC was immunohistochemically assessed. I/R treatment induced a marked increase in mucosal permeability and MMC degranulation. The treatment with K-76COONa and MAR-99 significantly attenuated these changes. Furthermore, in Ws/Ws rats the increase in mucosal permeability and MMC degranulation was significantly attenuated, These findings indicate the role of complement activation and MMC activation in the pathogenesis of rapid intestinal I/R injury. A regulation of the complement activation and MMC degranulation may be one of the clinical strategies for prevention of I/R-induced mucosal injury. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.