Effect of bencyclane fumarate on intestinal ischaemia reperfusion injury

Background: Post-ischaemic intestinal tissue damage appears to be due to the formation of oxygen radicals. Free radical-initiated lipid peroxidation following intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) may disrupt mucosal integrity. Indirectly, the radicals trigger the accumulation of neutrophils within the affected tissue, initiating inflammatory processes that lead to severe mucosal lesions. We have investigated the protective effect of bencyclane fumarate, a vasodilating Ca2+ channel blocker, which has been used for the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive diseases, on intestinal ischaemia reperfusion (IR) injury in rats. Methods: Forty-eight Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: a sham-operated group (no IR injury, n = 16), an ischaemic control group (IR, n = 16), and BF-treated group (pretreatment 5 mg/kg bencyclane fumarate + IR, n = 16). A marker for lipid peroxidation, namely malondialdehyde; free radical scavengers, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels; an index of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, myeloperoxidase activity and mucosal damage were investigated. Results: Malondialdehyde levels, myeloperoxidase activity and the severity of mucosal damage were decreased in the BF group. In addition, in the BF group, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels were higher compared with the IR group. Conclusion: The pretreatment of rats with bencyclane fumarate before intestinal ischaemia attenuates the mucosal damage in intestinal IR injury, probably by altering lipid peroxidation, neutrophil accumulation and antioxidant activity.