The Effect of Genistein on Anastomotic Healing in Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Introduction: Genistein is a natural isoflavonoid and has several pharmacological effects, such as antioxidant, antitumor activity, and improvement of glucose metabolism. The safety of intestinal anastomosis after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a critical issue for surgeons. This experimental study aimed to investigate the effects of genistein on anastomotic healing after intestinal I/R injury. Methods: A total of 36 male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups: control, I/R, genistein, and genistein + I/R. The control group received segmental ileal resection and ileoileal anastomosis. The I/R group received resection + anastomosis after intestinal I/R. The genistein group was administered subcutaneous injection of 1 mg/kg genistein 12 h and 1 h before the procedure and received ileal resection + anastomosis. The genistein + I/R group received I/R + ileal resection + anastomosis after genistein injection. Anastomotic bursting pressure, hydroxyproline, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase levels and histopathological wound healing scores of all rats were measured on post-operative day 5. Results: The anastomotic bursting pressure was significantly higher in the genistein and genistein + I/R groups (P < 0.001). Genistein increased the hydroxyproline concentration and the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels in the intestinal anastomosis (P < 0.001). In histopathological assessment, the mean wound healing score was significantly higher in the genistein group than in the other groups (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Genistein, with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, shows protective effects against increased oxidative stress after intestinal I/R injury and contributes positively to intestinal anastomotic healing. (c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.