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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 28, 2008; 14(28): 4512-4517
Published online Jul 28, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.4512
Effects of microalgae chlorella species crude extracts on intestinal adaptation in experimental short bowel syndrome
Mustafa Kerem, Bulent Salman, Hatice Pasaoglu, Abdulkadir Bedirli, Murat Alper, Hikmet Katircioglu, Tahir Atici, E Ferda Perçin, Ebru Ofluoglu
Mustafa Kerem, Bulent Salman, Abdulkadir Bedirli, General Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler 06510, Ankara, Turkey
Hatice Pasaoglu, Ebru Ofluoglu, Clinic Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler 06510, Ankara, Turkey
Murat Alper, Pathology Department, Diskapi Training and Education Hospital, Besevler 06510, Ankara, Turkey
Hikmet Katircioglu, Biology Department, Education Faculty, Gazi University, Besevler 06510, Ankara, Turkey
Tahir Atici, Biology Department, Education Faculty, Gazi University, Besevler 06510, Ankara, Turkey
E Ferda Perçin, Medical Genetic Department, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler 06510, Ankara, Turkey
Author contributions: Kerem M and Salman B contributed equally to this work; Kerem M, Salman B, and Bedirli A designed research; Kerem M, Salman B, Pasaoglu H, Alper M, Katircioglu H, Perçin EF, and Ofluoglu E performed research; Kerem M, Salman B and Bedirli A analysed data; Kerem M, Salman B and Bedirli A wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Mustafa Kerem, MD, Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler 06510, Ankara, Turkey. mkerem@gazi.edu.tr
Telephone: +90-312-2025727
Fax: +90-312-2124647
Received: April 10, 2008
Revised: May 23, 2008
Accepted: May 30, 2008
Published online: July 28, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effects of chlorella crude extract (CCE) on intestinal adaptation in rats subjected to short bowel syndrome (SBS).

METHODS: Wistar rats weighing 230-260 g were used in the study. After anesthesia a 75% small bowel resection was performed. Rats were randomized and divided into groups. Control group (n = 10): where 5% dextrose was given through a gastrostomy tube, Enteral nutrition (EN) group (n = 10): Isocaloric and isonitrogen EN (Alitraq, Abbott, USA), study group (n = 10): CCE was administrated through a gastrostomy tube. Rats were sacrificed on the fifteenth postoperative day and blood and tissue samples were taken. Histopathologic evaluation, intestinal mucosal protein and DNA levels, intestinal proliferation and apoptosis were determined in intestinal tissues, and total protein, albumin and citrulline levels in blood were studied.

RESULTS: In rats receiving CCE, villus lengthening, crypt depth, mucosal DNA and protein levels, intestinal proliferation, and serum citrulline, protein and albumin levels were found to be significantly higher than those in control group. Apoptosis in CCE treated rats was significantly reduced when compared to EN group rats.

CONCLUSION: CCE has beneficial effects on intestinal adaptation in experimental SBS.

Keywords: Short-bowel syndrome; Intestinal adaptation; Chlorella; Nutrition; Microalgae