Hypothermic Perfusion of Isolated Cat Small Intestine Metabolic Changes Related to Mucosal Lesions

Abstract

Cat small intestines were perfused for 48 h under hypothermia (4–8 °C) with a buffered salt-albumin solution. Mucosal lesions developed with subepithelial edema and villous desquamation and corresponding cellular dysfunction. The morphological changes correlated to a decrease in the content of adenosine triphosphate of the intestine and a release of intracellular enzymes to the perfusate and the intestinal secretions. The change in enzymatic activity was most pronounced for alkaline phosphatase. Determination of adenosine triphosphate of the intestine together with cellular enzymes of the perfusate and the intestinal secretions should be considered a rapid and reliable method to assess the degree of cellular damage during hypothermic perfusion.