Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this experimental study is evaluating the relation between plasma urotensin-II (U-II) and urotensin-II related peptide (URP) levels with intestinal ischemia caused by elevated intraabdominal pressure.
Material-Methods: Wistar albino rats weighing 200–250 grams used.
Group-1: Laparatomized group without abdominal pressure elevation in sixty minutes under general anesthesia.
Group-2: Ten mmHg elevated intraabdominal pressure group in sixty minutes under general anesthesia.
Group-3: Fifteen mmHg elevated intraabdominal pressure group in sixty minutes under general anesthesia.
Group-4: Twenty mmHg elevated intraabdominal pressure group in sixty minutes under general anesthesia.
After sacrifing, in general anesthesia blood and tissue samples were collected. Hematoxilen and eosyn stained tissue samples were examined under light microscope.
Results: Plasma U-II levels changes insignificant in group 2 and 3 but in group-4 was changed significantly compared with the control group(respectevely p=0,609; p=0.848; p=0.04). Plasma URP levels changed significantly in all groups compared with the control group (p-values were p=0.018; p=0.018 and p=0.04 respectively).
Conclusion: U-II levels could not be a useful parameter for the early diagnosis of the intestinal ischemic damage caused by intraabdominal pressure(IAP), because it is found in all vascular structures. On the other hand, plasma URP levels would be used for the early diagnosis of the intestinal ischemia. Because of the limitations of our study, we believe that our results should be confirmed with clinical studies.

Key words: Intrabdominal hypertension; intestinal ischemia; urotensin-ii; urotensin-ii related peptid; abdominal compartment syndrome.