The effect of Ghrelin on the healing of colonic anastomosis

Aim: Ghrelin is a peptide hormone which produced by gastrointestinal system has effects on eating behavior and weight regulation; regulation of growth hormone (GH) secretion, nutrition, gastric acid secretion, gastric motility and cell proliferation.Bowel anastomoses are one of the main procedures of the gastrointestinal surgery. In this study we aimed to investigate whether ghrelin effect on experimental colonic anastomosis healing.Material and method: In this study 30 Wistar Albino rats weighted 200-250 gr were used. Group 1 (Sham Group), animals underwent laparotomy, Group 2 (Control Group); Laparotomy+ colonic anastomosis+ SF administration IP, Group 3 (Ghrelin Group); Laparotomy+ colonic anastomosis+ ghrelin (10ng/kg/day/IP) administration were done (n=10). All rats sacrificed at the 7th day postoperatively and anastomosis bursting pressures were measured. Hydroxyproline levels were measured and hystopathologically inflammatory cell infiltration, fibroblast density, collagen density and neovascularization were evaluated.Results: Bursting pressures in the Ghrelin group were significantly higher than the control group (168,29±20,8 vs. 117,86±46,5 p<0,05). Although, inflammatory cell infiltration was found to be decreased in the ghrelin group, hydroxyproline content, fibroblast density, collagen content and neovascularization were not different in ghrelin and control groups.Conclusion: Ghrelin has showed positive effect on colonic anastomosis healing. After explaining the mechanism of this action and human studies it could be used in clinically.