Mechanisms Underlying The Effects Of Different Abdominal Surgical Traumas On Rabbit Microvascular Albumin Leakage

In this study, microvascular albumin leakage and the possible mechanisms underlying this response were investigated after different abdominal traumas in rabbits. Sixty-six rabbits were randomly divided into a control group, partial jejunum resection group (group A), and stomach-pancreas-spleen resection group (group B). The serum albumin concentration and levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were examined before surgery, as well as at various time points after surgery. Mesenteric microvascular leakage of albumin was dynamically observed, as were changes in microvascular endothelial cells. The albumin concentration in group B was lower at different postoperative time points than before surgery (P < 0.05), and no statistical difference was detected between groups at the 6 postoperative time points and before surgery (P > 0.05). Serum IL-6 concentrations in group A were higher at 24 and 48 hours postoperation than before surgery (P < 0.05); in group B, the concentration was higher at each postoperative time point than before surgery (P < 0.01). The serum TNF-alpha concentration at 48 hours postoperation in group A was higher than that before surgery (P < 0.05), and the concentration at each postoperative time point in group B was higher than that before surgery (P < 0.01). The mesenteric microvascular leakage rates in group B were higher at postoperative hours 12, 24, 48, and 72 than in the control group (P < 0.01). Endothelial gaps were clearly observed in group B. The serum albumin concentration decreased in the early phase after major abdominal surgery in rabbits, which may be related to the increase in serum inflammatory mediators after major surgery, resulting in increased microvascular endothelial gaps and albumin leakage.