Background: We have previously demonstrated in a rodent model the differential effects that specific intraluminal nutrients exert on gut ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Alanine was shown to amplify, whereas glucose protected against, gut I/R injury and associated gut dysfunction. The objective of this study was to determine whether these specific nutrients are associated with alterations in mucosal perfusion during gut I/R.
Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats had either a laser doppler probe or a tonometer inserted into a jejunal sac filled with either 10 mmol/L alanine, glucose, or mannitol (osmotic control) followed by 60 minutes of superior mesenteric artery occlusion and 60 minutes of reperfusion. Laser doppler mucosal blood flow and regional PCO2 (PrCO2) measurements were obtained.
Results: Mucosal blood flow was significantly increased during both ischemia and reperfusion when intraluminal glucose was present compared with intraluminal alanine. Blood flow changes were reflected by lower jejunal PrCO2 measurements with intraluminal glucose compared with intraluminal alanine.
Conclusions: Intraluminal glucose can augment mucosal blood flow during gut I/R and may explain the protective effect we previously observed.