Background: We investigated the potential beneficial effect of the antioxidant 2-mercaptoethane-sulfonate (mesna) against oxidative stress induced by pneumoperitoneum in splanchnic organs.
Methods: Wistar rats were subjected to either (a) CO(2) pneumoperitoneum (15 mmHg for 60 min) (group P), (b) pretreatment with mesna (400 mg/kg, p.o.) followed by pneumoperitoneum with a 180 min interval (group MP), (c) sham operation (group S), or (d) administration of mesna only (group M). Forty-five minutes after desufflation (groups P and MP), 60 + 45 min after the induction of anesthesia (group S), or 180 min after mesna administration (group M), tissue specimens were excised from liver, kidneys, jejunum and stomach. Tissue oxidative state was assessed on the basis of glutathione-to-glutathione disulfide ratio, malondialdehyde concentration , and superoxide dismutase activity.
Results: Pneumoperitoneum deteriorated all the oxidative stress markers in the organs studied. Mesna prevented the occurrence of oxidative stress following pneumoperitoneum in all the organs studied. In the absence of pneumoperitoneum, the administration of mesna caused mild enhancement of the oxidative state of liver, stomach, and kidneys compared to sham controls.
Conclusions: Prophylaxis with mesna prevents oxidative stress induced by pneumoperitoneum in splanchnic organs.