Evaluation of the effects of S-methylisothiourea hemisulfate, an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, on the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of S-methylisothiourea hemisulfate (SMT) on the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats. METHODS: Sixty rats Wistar were distributed into two groups of 30 animals: experimental (E) and control C). The animals of experimental group received intraperitoneal SMT at 50mg/kg/dose every 12 hours for 72 hours. The control group received intraperitoneal saline at the same volume of SMT. The rats were subdivided into subgroups groups of 10 for euthanasia on the third, seventh, and 14th postoperative days (POD). We evaluated clinical and weight evolution, breaking strength and histopathology; also, a blood sample was collected for serum dosage of nitrite/nitrate. RESULTS: There was more vascular neoformation (p=0.006) and granulation (p=0.002) in the E3 group, and more mononuclear infiltrates in the C3 group (p=0.041). There was also more edema in the C14 group (p=0.008). There was no statistically significant difference in breaking strength, nitrite/nitrate dosage, and the remaining histopathological parameters. CONCLUSION: The use of S-methylisothiourea hemisulfate improved the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats on the third postoperative day by accelerating the proliferative stage of healing, but without interfering with the breaking strength of the anastomosis.