The Effect of Beta-glucan on Acute Lung Injury in experimental obstructive jaundice

Obstructive jaundice is one of the important issues of general surgery as its high incidence and the rate of morbidity and mortality is high. Endotoxemia, bacterial translocation, lipid peroxidation, and free oxygen radicals that occur in obstructive jaundice are the major reasons of complications such as cardiovascular dysfunction, pulmonary injury, renal and hepatic dysfunction and sepsis . Because of pulmonary dysfunction and ARDS in the following period, mortality increases. Beta-glucans are known as powerful immune stimulators and as antioxidants. Because of these effects, this study is planned as it is thought to be effective in the prevention of lung injury in obstructive jaundice.In our study, 35 Wistar Albino rats were divided into five groups which were 7 rats in each group randomly. Only laparotomy was performed in group I. Bile duct ligation was performed by laparotomy in group II. The rats in group III were treated with beta-glucan for 10 days after bile duct ligation. The rats in group IV were treated with beta-glucan for 10 days before and after bile duct ligation. The rats in group V were treated with beta-glucan for 10 days before bile duct ligation. All rats in each group were sacrificed and blood and tissue samples were collected at eleventh day after bile duct ligation.Results showed that beta-glucans were found to have positive effects on liver functions in obstructive jaundice. Tissue MDA and LPO, serum MPO values increased and tissue GSH and serum SOD values were found to decrease as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress and neutrophil infiltration in group II. Tissue MDA and LPO, serum MPO values decreased and tissue GSH and serum SOD were found to increase in groups treated with beta-glucan. Histopathological evaluation showed that groups treated with beta-glucan were found to be less damage in lung.As a result of this study, beta-glucan has a protective and treatment effects against lung injury in obstructive jaundice.