Clinical evidence suggests that bacterial translocation (BT) may not be the primary cause in the development of sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction. However, BT has an important role in the activation of the immune system. Therapies have been extensively investigated to improve tissue perfusion and reduce intestinal ischemia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of hypertonic saline (HSS) 7.5% and lactated Ringer's (LR) solutions on intestinal BT in rats that underwent intestinal obstruction and ischaemia (IO).

Wistar rats (300 ± 50 g) underwent anesthesia with sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/kg, i.p.) and were submitted to IO: (i) cecum exposure, (ii) ileum ligation at 1.5 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve, and (iii) ligation of the mesenteric vessels that supply a 7–10 cm length of the ileal loop. Two hours after surgical procedures, 4 ml/kg of 7.5% HSS or LR were administered intravenously, during 5 minutes. Animals were killed 24 hours after IO, and microbiological assays were performed in mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and blood.

See Table 1.

HSS reduced the number of CFU/g in the liver, spleen, and blood after IO, resulting in improvement of the 'gut barrier function'.