Use of hyperbaric oxygenation in small bowel preservation for transplant

Introduction. The aim of this work was to study the effects of hyperbaric oxygenation as a preservation technique for small bowel transplantation. Methods. Twenty 2-month-old male Wistar rats weighting 250 g were divided into two groups: group A (n = 10) in which the small bowel was preserved for 12 hours, and group B (n = 10) in which the small bowel was preserved for 24 hours. After vascular and intraluminal perfusion, 3-cm segments were maintained in Ringer's solution at temperatures between 2 degrees C to 4 degrees C and in normobaric O-2 conditions (groups A(1), 131) or conditioned in an hyperbaric O-2 metal chamber (100% oxygen at 5.5 absolute atmospheres) (groups A(2), 132). After this preservation time, we studied intestinal tissue injury and morphometric analysis of the villi. Results. Mucosal injury was significantly greater among group A(1) compared to group A(2) animals. The grade of the lesions was greater among group B-1 compared to group B-2 animals. Group A, showed no difference from Group B-1. For lesion grade, the range was smaller in group A(2) and group B-2 animals. The villi height was significantly smaller in groups A, and B-1 compared to the other groups; whereas it was higher in group A(2) as compared with B-2. Conclusion. Hyperbaric oxygenation may play a role as a preservation technique. Further research is necessary.