Matheson PJ, Walker SK, Maki AC, Shaheen SP, Neal Garrison R, Downard CD. Oral relaxin maintains intestinal blood flow in a rat model of NEC.
J Pediatr Surg 2014;
49:961-4; discussion 964-5. [PMID:
24888843 DOI:
10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2014.01.032]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
Intestinal vasoconstriction is a critical step in development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Relaxin (RLXN), a hormone found in breast milk but absent from formula, is a potent vasodilator. We hypothesized that relaxin-supplemented feeds with an NEC protocol would decrease NEC severity and increase intestinal blood flow.
METHODS
Timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to CONTROL, NEC, NEC+1xRLXN, or NEC+All Feeds RLXN, and all but CONTROL underwent NEC protocol. NEC+1xRLXN and NEC+All Feeds RLXN groups were fed relaxin-supplemented formula with the last feed or every feed. At 48h of life, intestinal blood flow was measured at baseline and after application of 2.5% Delflex® solution.
RESULTS
The addition of relaxin to NEC group feeds (1x or All Feeds) improved the degree of ileal injury. Ileal blood flow was decreased in the NEC pups compared to the CONTROLS, but the addition of relaxin to one feed increased baseline ileal blood flow in the NEC group compared to NEC alone. Furthermore, the addition of relaxin to ALL feeds significantly increased baseline ileal blood flow.
CONCLUSION
Pups who received relaxin with all feeds had substantially increased ileal perfusion compared to control pups. Our data suggest that relaxin supplementation maintains intestinal blood flow and results in less histologic NEC.
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