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 O2 conditions (groups A1, B1) or conditioned in an hyperbaric O2 metal chamber (100% oxygen at 5.5 absolute atmospheres) (groups A2, B2). After this preservation time, we studied intestinal tissue injury and morphometric analysis of the villi.
Results: Mucosal injury was significantly greater among group A1 compared to group A2 animals. The grade of the lesions was greater among group B1 compared to group B2 animals. Group A1 showed no difference from Group B1. For lesion grade, the range was smaller in group A2 and group B2 animals. The villi height was significantly smaller in groups A1 and B1 compared to the other groups; whereas it was higher in group A2 as compared with B2.
Conclusion: Hyperbaric oxygenation may play a role as a preservation technique. Further research is necessary.