Glaucocalyxin A enhances colonic anastomotic healing after ischemia-reperfusion: experimental findings.

PURPOSE: Glaucocalyxin A (GLA), a diterpenoid with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown vascular protective effects in preclinical models. This study aimed to evaluate whether GLA improves colonic anastomotic integrity following ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

METHODS

Twenty-four female Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into three groups (n = 8): control + GLA, I/R, and I/R + GLA. I/R was induced by 60-minute superior mesenteric artery occlusion and 60-minute reperfusion before end-to-end colonic anastomosis. GLA (10 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally. On postoperative day 7, anastomotic bursting pressure, adhesion scores, hydroxyproline, oxidative stress markers (total oxidative status, total antioxidant capacity, ischemia-modified albumin), and histopathology were evaluated.

RESULTS

The I/R + GLA group demonstrated significantly higher bursting pressure compared with the I/R group (126 versus 40 mmHg; p < 0.005). Tissue TOS levels were significantly lower in the I/R + GLA group compared with both other groups (p < 0.005). No significant differences were found in hydroxyproline levels, IMA values, or histopathological healing scores.

CONCLUSION

GLA may support colonic anastomotic healing after I/R injury by reducing oxidative stress and could serve as a potential protective agent against anastomotic compromise.