The effect of Origanum Vulgare Essential Oil (thyme oil) on bacterial translocation in an experimental obstructive jaundice model

Aim: The main event causing mortality in obstructive jaundice is endotoxemia, which initiates a systemic effect. Thyme oil has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects in the literature. Considering these effects of thyme oil, it is thought that thyme oil could be used to prevent bacterial translocation occurring in obstructive jaundice and the subsequent damages. The aim of this study is to test whether such an effect exists. Materials and Methods: In this study, 28 Wistar-Albino rats weighing between 250-300 grams were divided into three groups: Sham (n:10), Common bile duct (n:11), and Thyme (n:7). Thyme Oil was orally administered to the Thyme group at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day for 6 days. On the 6th day, blood samples were taken to measure Total bilirubin (T.Bil), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) levels. Mesenteric lymph node (MLN), spleen, and blood samples were collected and microbiologically cultured to assess microbial growth. Findings: AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, and GGT values show a statistically significant difference among the groups (p<0.05). Differences between groups were examined with Bonferroni correction. It was found that the Common bile duct group was significantly higher compared to the Sham group. There was no significant difference in AST values between the Thyme and Common bile duct groups. However, when median values were examined, it was found that the AST value of the Thyme group (Med:630.4) was lower compared to the AST value of the Common bile duct group (Med:777.6). There was no significant difference in ALT values between the Thyme and Common bile duct groups. However, when median values were examined, it was found that the ALT value of the Thyme group (Med:200.6) was lower compared to the ALT value of the Common bile duct group (Med:286.5). The Thyme group did not show a significant difference in ALP values compared to the Common bile duct group. However, when median values were examined, it was found that the ALP value of the Thyme group (Med:170.1) was lower than the ALP value of the Common bile duct group (Med:293.9). There was no significant difference in total bilirubin values between the Thyme and Common bile duct groups. However, when median values were examined, it was found that the total bilirubin value of the Thyme group (Med:2.1) was lower than the total bilirubin value of the Common bile duct group (Med:11.4). There was no significant difference in GGT values between the Thyme and Common bile duct groups. However, when median values were examined, it was found that the GGT value of the Thyme group (Med:0.4) was lower than the GGT value of the Common bile duct group (Med:18.3). When evaluating spleen tissue culture, it was observed that 2 out of 10 animals in the Sham group, 5 out of 11 animals in the Common bile duct group, and only 1 out of 7 animals in the Thyme group showed growth. According to the spleen tissue culture results, there was no statistically significant difference among the experimental groups (p: 0.273). When evaluating MLN tissue culture, it was observed that 2 out of 10 animals in the Sham group, 4 out of 11 animals in the Common bile duct group, and 2 out of 7 animals in the Thyme group showed growth. According to the MLN tissue culture results, there was no statistically significant difference among the experimental groups (p: 0.315). When evaluating blood culture, it was observed that 3 out of 10 animals in the Sham group, 7 out of 11 animals in the Common bile duct group, and only 2 out of 7 animals in the Thyme group showed growth. According to the blood culture results, there was no statistically significant difference among the experimental groups (p: 0.199) Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that in rats with experimentally induced obstructive jaundice, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, and Total Bilirubin levels significantly increased due to cholestasis and liver damage. In the group receiving oral thyme oil, these values decreased, although the decrease was not statistically significant. In the thyme oil-fed group, it was observed that bacterial growth did not significantly decrease in the spleen, MLN, and blood compared to the group with obstructive jaundice. Keywords: Thyme Oil, Obstructive Jaundice, Bacterial Translocation