Effect of intra-abdominally administered mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid) in experimental peritonitis

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the effect of mesalazine was studied on TNF alpha IL-1 beta, IL-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and inflammatory changes in rat lungs with experimental peritonitis. METHODS: In total, 24 male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 250–280 g were used in the study.The rats were divided into three groups based on no irrigation or irrigation with isotonic solution or mesalazine. Secondary peritonitis was generated by cecum penetrations. Group I, no irrigation was given after the development of peritonitis; Group II, irrigation was performed using isotonic solution 24 h after the development of peritonitis; GROUP III: irrigation was performed using mesalazine 24 h after the development of peritonitis. Blood samples were taken in the 48(th) hour for measuring TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and CRP levels. Lung tissue samples were taken for examining the effect of mesalazine in the development of systemic sepsis. RESULTS: TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, and CRP levels were significantly low in Group III than in the other groups (p<0.005). In the histologic examination, leucocyte infiltration in the lung was found low in Group III. CONCLUSION: TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, and CRP levels and leucocyte infiltration in the lung were found to be low in rats that were administered peritoneal irrigation using mesalazine after the development of secondary peritonitis. Peritoneal irrigation using mesalazine may be useful in patients requiring surgery due to secondary peritonitis.