Effects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy on the healthi̇ng of colon anastomosi̇s i̇n rats gi̇ven radi̇otherapy

İntroduction: Colorectal cancers are the most common cancer of the gastrointestinal system. 10-15% of all cancers seen in both sexes are colorectal cancers. Various complications may occur after colon surgery. The most common complications are bleeding, fistula, anastomotic stenosis and anastomotic leakage. One of the most important complications is anastomotic leakage. Goal: In this study, we planned to investigate the effect of systemic stem cell therapy on the healing of colon anastomosis in rats with experimentally developed radiation enteritis model Material and Method: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar Albino rats weighing 250-300 g were used. The experiment was realized in 3 groups. n=8 male Wistar Albino rats were included in each group. Rats were maintained at a constant temperature (22 ° C) with a 12 hour light-dark cycle and randomly divided into three equal groups. I group: Control group / Sham group: It is the group that underwent colon resection-anastomosis after 2 weeks without irradiation. II group: It is the group in which resection-anastomosis was applied 2 weeks after radiotherapy. III group: this is the group in which resection anastomosis and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy was applied 2 weeks after radiotherapy. Bursting pressure, vascular area, collagen density, epithelization and inflammation density were compared in all groups. Results: When the results of the experimental animals were compared, it was found that the microvascularity areas and epithelization score were significantly higher in the Stem cell group compared to the RT group and the control group. The epithelization score in the Stem cell group (62.5%) was found to be significantly higher than in the control group (12.5%) and the RT group (0%). CD31 counts (microvascular area) were significantly higher in the stem cell group. There was no significant difference found when the groups were compared according to CD68 counts (Macrophage number), collagen density, inflammation score. When the burst pressure values were examined, it was found that the burst pressure value in the stem cell group was higher than in the RT and control groups, but it was not statistically significant. Conclusion:It was found that after preoperative radiation therapy, in the group where colonic anastomosis was performed and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were applied systemically, epithelization and microvascularization increased. Keywords: Radiotherapy, stem cell therapy, colonic anastomosis