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Simvastatin Improves Wound Strength after Intestinal Anastomosis in the Rat

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Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

Simvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor commonly known as a cholesterol-lowering drug with additional pleiotropic effects. Also, it is demonstrated that it prevents postoperative peritoneal adhesions in rat. This study was designed to assess its effects on the healing process of colonic anastomosis.

Methods

Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were randomized into two groups and subjected to colonic anastomosis. The study group was treated with simvastatin and the control group received only tap water instead. The rats were killed 3 and 7 days postoperatively. Wound complications, intra-abdominal abscesses, and anastomotic leaks and stenosis were recorded. Four types of assessment were performed: bursting pressure, hydroxyproline content, histopathology, and biochemical analysis.

Results

Compared to the control group, simvastatin-treated rats displayed a higher bursting pressure (p < 0.001) and anastomotic hydroxyproline content (p < 0.05). Simvastatin treatment leads to a significant decrease in malondealdehyde levels (p < 0.05) and increase in paraoxonase activity (p < 0.001) at both time points. Histopathological analysis revealed that simvastatin administration leads to a better anastomotic healing in terms of reepithelialization, decreased granuloma formation, reduced ischemic necrosis, and inflammatory infiltration to muscle layer.

Conclusion

Clinically relevant doses of simvastatin do not have a negative impact on colonic anastomosis but improve intestinal wound healing in rats.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, The School of Medicine, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Kozlu-Zonguldak, Turkey

    G. Karadeniz Cakmak, O. Irkorucu, B. H. Ucan, A. U. Emre, O. Tascilar, K. Karakaya & M. Comert

  2. Department of Pathology, The School of Medicine, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Kozlu-Zonguldak, Turkey

    B. Bahadir & G. Kertis

  3. Department of Biochemistry, The School of Medicine, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Kozlu-Zonguldak, Turkey

    S. Acikgoz

  4. Department of Biochemistry, The School of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler-Ankara, Turkey

    C. Demirtas & H. Pasaoglu

  5. Department of Biostatistics, The School of Medicine, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Kozlu-Zonguldak, Turkey

    H. Ankarali

  6. Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Bashekimligi, Zonguldak Karaelmas Universitesi, 67600, Kozlu-Zonguldak, Turkey

    G. Karadeniz Cakmak

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  1. G. Karadeniz Cakmak
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Karadeniz Cakmak.

Additional information

Oral presentation at the “Turkish National Surgery Congress”, Antalya, Turkey, May 2008.

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Karadeniz Cakmak, G., Irkorucu, O., Ucan, B.H. et al. Simvastatin Improves Wound Strength after Intestinal Anastomosis in the Rat. J Gastrointest Surg 13, 1707–1716 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-009-0951-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-009-0951-2

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