Activities of xanthine oxidase and superoxide dismutase enzymes in rat intestinal tissues in sepsis

Background: The aim of this study was to elucidate a possible source of oxidant stress in experimental sepsis. Methods: For this aim, 32 Sprague-Dawley type rats were used in the study. After all the animals underwent laparotomy, nonlethal cecum ligation and puncture (CLP) technique was used to create an experimental sepsis model in two groups (CLP-6 and CLP-48 groups). Rats in the other groups (Sham operated) were used as controls. Animals in the control-6 and CLP-6 groups were killed 6 hours after the beginning of the study whereas the other animals were killed 48 hours after the beginning. Part of the terminal ileum of each animal was removed to be used in the measurements of xanthine oxidase and superoxide dismutase enzyme activities. Results: Xanthine oxidase activity in the CLP-48 group was found to increase significantly as compared with that of the control-48 group, but superoxide dismutase activity did not change. No significant changes, however, were observed between analysis parameters in the terminal ileum tissues when obtained 6 hours after the beginning of sepsis. Conclusion: Our results suggest that increased xanthine oxidase activity is one of the leading factors for the oxidant stress in the late phase of sepsis.