In order to evaluate the effect of hydrocortisone sodium succinate (HSS) for treatment of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion, 12 halothane-anesthetized horses were subjected to both venous and arteriovenous ischemia of the jejunum. After one hour of ischemia, HSS (4.0 mg/kg/IV) was administered to six animals (T group). The other six horses received saline (NT group). Biopsy specimens were obtained after one and two hours of ischemia, and one, two and 12 hours after reperfusion. These samples were evaluated to assess the degree of mucosal damage and infiltration of neutrophils, hemorrhage, and edema. The scores for neutrophil infiltration, edema and hemorrhage did not differ between T and NT groups in both models of ischemia. However, in the jejunum subjected to venous ischemia, the scores for mucosal lesion increased significantly (P<0.05) after two hours of reperfusion only in the NT group, indicating that HSS prevented reperfusion injury. The scores for mucosal damage were equivalent after 12 hours of reperfusion following arteriovenous ischemia in T and NT groups. In contrast, mucosal lesion due to venous ischemia were more severe in the NT group (P<0.01), indicating that intestinal repair was stimulated by HSS. These results indicate that HSS may be used as an adjuvant for treatment of intestinal isquemia and reperfusion lesions in the horse.
equine; ischemia; reperfusion; hydrocortisone; gastroenterology
