Effect of tramadol hydrochloride on ischemic colon anastomosis healing

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the possible effects of tramadol hydrochloride administration on the healing of colonic anastomosis after colonic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Methods: Twenty-four Wistar albino male rats were divided into the control group (rats underwent resection-anastomosis after ischemia-reperfusion injury in the colon and saline was given intraperitoneally, n=12); and the TRA group (rats underwent resection-anastomosis after ischemia-reperfusion injury in the colon and tramadol hydrochloride was given, n=12). After colon ischemia-reperfusion injury was produced, the distal part of the descending colon was cut to full thickness, and the lumen was completely closed one by one with 6/0 polypropylene sutures. Then, 0.5 mL saline was administered to the control group and 30 mg/kg tramadol hydrochloride was administered to the TRA group intraperitoneally every day for five days. After sacrificing all the rats, the burst pressures were recorded, and blood serum and colon tissue samples were analyzed biochemically. Results: Biochemical analysis of blood serum samples revealed that IL-6 (p=0.026), MPO (p=0.001), CAT (p=0.024), and AST (serum p=0.002) levels were different between the two groups. Biochemical analysis of the tissue samples revealed that glutathione reductase (p=0.006), AST (p<0.001) and ALT (p=0.004) levels were different between the two groups. Conclusion: At the end of this study, it was thought that tramadol usage as an analgesic drug may not have a negative or positive therapeutic effect on colon ischemia-reperfusion injury and colon anastomosis in rats. Therefore, it was thought that tramadol hydrochloride could be used as an analgesic drug option in pain management in such patients.