Can Dysfunctional Distal Colon Atrophy be prevented with Olive Oil in Rats with Colostomy? An Experimental Animal Study

Abstract

Introduction The present study aimed to investigate the effects of pure olive oil on distal colon atrophy in rats. Materials and Methods The study included 28 male albino Wistar rats weighing 300-350g. A total of 28 animals were randomly allocated into four groups: group 1: control group (n = 6); group 2: ostomy group (n = 6); group 3: ostomy + saline group (n=8); group 4: ostomy + olive oil group (n = 8). Initially, group 1 did not undergo any procedure. The same surgical procedure was performed for groups 2, 3, and 4 as described below. A two-centimeter-long mid-line incision was made and the colon was divided into sections measuring 5 cm from the distal to the caecum in all cases. A proximal and distal stoma were created 2 cm apart at the midline using single layer interrupted, colomusculo-cutaneous sutures. All rats were kept under daily surveillance until they were terminated postoperatively after the 1st month. Group 2 did not undergo any procedure. Groups 3 and 4 were given 2 ml of saline and olive oil twice daily, respectively. At the end of the 1st month, the rats were re-operated at the point of the previous incision. A biopsy was taken from the proximal and distal stoma of all rats in the same way for histopathological analysis. Results Group 1 showed no significant differences in terms of mucosal thickness, muscular thickness, wall thickness, and colonic lumen diameter between the proximal and distal colon. However, there were significant differences between the proximal and distal colostomy for each parameter in groups 2, 3, 4. However, proximal and distal ostomy mucosal thickness, muscular thickness, wall thickness, and colonic lumen diameter differences were very small in group 4 when compared with group 2 and group 3. Conclusion The administration of pure olive oil through the distal colon before the colostomy closure may reduce the difference in diameter between the proximal and distal intestine segments. A more straightforward surgical procedure may be achieved as a result of the reduction of the proximal and distal intestinal diameter differences.