Allopurinol inhibited free radical generation in the sheep large intestine Ahmadinejad M., Rex M.A.E., Sutton R.1, Pollitt C., Cribb B.3 2Veterinary Pathology, Queensland University 4072, Australia 3Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, Queensland University 4072, Australia Abstract The contribution of oxygen-free radicals in intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury and the ability of allopurinol in preventing such injury was examined. Ischaemia of the sheep intestine was induced by occlusion of the apex of the caecum for 60 minutes. Allopurinol 50 mg/kg was administered l/V, 15 minutes prior to the induction of ischaemia. Full thickness tissue samples from caecal wall were removed from a normal caecum, 60 mintues after induction of ischaemia and 60 seconds, 60 mintues, and 8 hours following reperfusion. The bowel segments were immediately transferred to glutaraldehyde fixative, processed in a routine manner, and examined using transmission electron microscope. The ultrastructure of the samples treated with allopurinol were well preserved in comparison with those which had not been treated. It is speculated that allopurinol by allowing the conservation of the high pool of purine base allow the recycling of the subterminal hypoxanthine metabolites. Top Keywords Allopurinol, Intestine, Ischaemia, Sheep. Top |