Purpose: To investigate the pattern of changes of gut mucosal, glomerular, and pulmonary permeability in response to major resectional intestinal surgery, and to evaluate whether these changes are related to oxidative stress.
Methods: Eight patients undergoing elective intestinal surgery. Lactulose/mannitol ratio (LMR), urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (MACR), and extravascular lung water and its ratio to intrathoracic blood volume (EVLW/ITBV) were measured preoperatively and at different time points postsurgery. The oxidant/antioxidant balance was assessed by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive species, reduced glutathione, plasma total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase.
Results: Uncomplicated intestinal surgery was associated with early increase in LMR and MACR. The EVLW/ITBV ratio increased, but still remained within the normal range. The amount of EVLW was not affected. While renal permeability changes resolved rapidly, increased intestinal permeability persisted longer postoperatively. There was no evidence for any marked disturbances in the oxidant/antioxidant balance.
Conclusions: This pilot study indicated that a moderate increase in gut and renal permeability, even in the absence of clinical sequelae, is an early feature of uncomplicated intestinal surgical trauma. These alterations are not accompanied by any clinically detectable changes in pulmonary permeability.