The effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on bacterial translocation and intestinal damage after intestinal obstruction

Aim: Intestinal obstruction (IO) induces bacterial translocation due to failure of the intestinal barrier function. Following bacterial overgrowth, its degradation products play a decisive role in the development of systemic septic complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on bacterial translocation and intestinal damage in an IO model in rats. Materials and methods: Complete IO was created in the distal ileum of rats by a single 4-0 silk suture. A total of 21 Wistar albino rats were randomized into 3 groups: Group 1, Sham (n = 7); Group 2, IO (n = 7); Group 3, IO + CAPE (n = 7). Group 3 received a 10 mu mol kg-1 dose of CAPE intraperitoneally. This treatment was continued for 3 days (2 days before surgery and 1 day after surgery). Samples of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), liver, and segmental ilea were obtained 24 h after the mechanical bowel obstruction, both for biochemical analysis and microbiological examination. Results: The most common bacteria cultured from the liver and MLN of these animals were Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Enterococcus spp. In the CAPE-treated rats, the malondialdehyde (MDA) and adrenomedullin levels were 3 significantly lower than in the IO group (P < 0.001). The reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) levels of the ileum were found to be significantly higher in the CAPE-treated rats than those in the IO group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: These results have shown that CAPE may have protective effects against bacterial translocation and intestinal oxidative damage in mechanical IO. More experimental studies are needed to explain the exact mechanism of this beneficial effect.