Effects of Intestinal Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury and Splenectomy on Haematological and Biochemical Parameters in Rats

Abstract

Splenectomy has been proposed to alleviate mild and sustained ischemia reperfusion injury (IR). Intestinal ischaemia reperfusion 
injury (IIR) appears to have remote effects from the gastrointestinal tract. The effects of splenectomy on haematology and serum 
biochemical parameters in mild and sustained intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury was evaluated in male Wistar rats. The rats 
were splenectomized and then subjected to either 20minutes or one hour of superior mesenteric artery and collateral supply 
ischemia and one hour of reperfusion. Control rats were subjected to either 20minutes or one hour of ischemia and one hour of 
reperfusion only. Blood samples were collected before and after surgery for control animals and the other groups, for analysis. 
Mild IIR significantly reduced packed cell volume (32.4±2.6%), haemoglobin concentration (9.7±0.1g/dL), red blood cell count 
(5.3±0.3X10⁶/L) and leucocytosis (16.3±0.28X10ᵌ/μL) due to lymphocytosis (78%), postoperatively. Sustained IIR significantly
lowered values of neutrophils (29%). Mild and sustained IIR did not significantly alter biochemical parameters. Significantly 
lower albumin values were observed in sustained IIR (3.4±0.55g/dL). Splenectomy did not significantly alter hematological 
parameters, a measure of protection. Elective splenectomy may thus be useful in moderating haematological changes that may 
occur following an incident in which intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury may follow as a palliative measure.