Tempol reduces bacterial translocation after ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model of superior mesenteric artery occlusion

We investigated whether Tempol, a water-soluble antioxidant, prevents the harmful effects of superior mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion on intestinal tissues in rats. The rats were divided into three groups of 10. In group 1, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was isolated but not occluded, and in groups 2 and 3 the superior mesenteric artery was occluded for 60 min. After that, the clamp was removed and reperfusion began. In group 3, 5 min before the start of reperfusion, a bolus dose of 30 mg/kg Tempol was administered intravenously and continued at a dose of 30 mg/kg for 60 min. All animals were euthanized after 24 h and tissue samples were collected for analysis. There was a significant increase in myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde levels, and the incidence of bacterial translocation in group 2, with a decrease in glutathione levels. These parameters were found to be normalized in group 3. The intestinal mucosal injury score in group 2 was significantly higher than those in groups 1 and 3. Tempol prevents bacterial translocation while precluding the harmful effects of ischemia/reperfusion injury on intestinal tissues in a rat model of superior mesenteric artery occlusion.