Role of Ankaferd on bacterial translocation and inflammatory response in an experimental rat model of intestinal obstruction

Abstract

Intestinal obstruction (IO) is an important risk factor for the development of bacteria translocation (BT), a serious condition associated with sepsis and potential mortality. Ankaferd is an herbal extract that is reported to exert anti-hemorrhagic, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory, effects in the intestine. In this study, we employed an animal model of intestinal obstruction to evaluate the effects of Ankaferd in the prevention of bacterial translocation and the suppression of the inflammatory response. Thirty male Wistar Albino rats were allocated randomly to three groups: Group 1 (sham) underwent ileal manipulation alone; Group 2 (intestinal obstruction, IO) underwent complete ileal ligation; Group 3 (intestinal obstruction + Ankaferd blood stopper, ABS) underwent complete ileal ligation and intraperitoneal Ankaferd injection. All rats were euthanized after 24 hours. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of serum oxidative stress parameters and cytokine expression. In addition, liver, mesenteric lymph node (MLN), spleen, and ileal specimens were obtained for microbiological culture to determine the rate of bacterial translocation. Liver and ileal tissues were collected for histopathological examination. A reduction in oxidative damage, inflammatory cytokine expression and bacterial translocation was observed in the ABS treatment group relative to the IO group (p<0.05). Furthermore, histopathological examination demonstrated a reduction in obstruction-induced mucosal injury in Ankaferd-treated rats. Data derived from this study provided the first evidence that Ankaferd treatment limits bacterial translocation and enhances intestinal barrier function in mice undergoing intestinal obstruction. Ankaferd may be useful in the prevention of BT associated with IO.

Keywords: Ankaferd; bacterial translocation; cytokines; intestinal obstruction; oxidative stress.

Figure 1

Histological images of the small intestine of rats. A. Sham group. Mild mucosal inflamation (HE stain, ×200); B. Intestinal obstruction group. Severe inflammation and edema in the mucosa with subtotal villous atrophy (HE stain, ×200); C. Intestinal obstruction + ankaferd group. Mild to moderate inflammation and edema in mucosa of the villi, some of which show slightly blunted ends (HE stain, ×200).

Figure 2

Histopathological changes in liver tissue (A) Minimal vascular congestion without inflammation in the liver parenchyma was shown in sham group (HE stain, ×200); (B) Moderate portal inflammation and vascular congestion were shown in intestinal obstruction group (HE stain, ×200); (C) In intestinal obstruction + ankaferd group liver tissue seemingly normal other than to minimal portal inflammation (HE stain, ×200).