Esomeprazole’s Role in Enhancing Colonic Anastomotic Healing Post-Ischemic Injury in the Rat Model

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Colonic anastomotic leaks are still a critical cause of morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to investigate the effects of esomeprazole on anastomotic healing after left colon anastomosis in rats with an ischemic colon. <i>Material and Methods:</i> Thirty-five male Wistar albino rats were divided into acute (CONTROL-A, ESP-A) and chronic (CONTROL-C, ESP-C) stage groups. Rats in the CONTROL-A and CONTROL-C groups underwent colonic anastomosis after hypoxia-reperfusion injury in the colon, and intraperitoneal saline was administered for three and ten days, respectively. Intraperitoneal 10 mg/day esomeprazole was given to the rats in the ESP-A and ESP-C groups for three and ten days after similar surgical procedures. Then, at scheduled times, 2 cm proximal and distal regions of the anastomosis line were resected, and bursting pressure was measured. Hydroxyproline (HYP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), caspase-3 (CSP3) and catalase (CAT), nitric oxide (NO), reduced glutathione (RGT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), TNF-α, IL-6, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured in tissue and blood serum samples. <i>Results:</i> In the acute stage, CAT, NO, RGT, and SOD values in ESP-A group were lower than CONTROL-A group values. In addition, TNF, IL-6, ALT, and AST values in the ESP-A group were higher than the CONTROL-A group values between groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05). However, HYP and burst pressure values were not different between the groups. In the chronic stage, CAT, NO, RGT, SOD, CSP3, and burst pressure values in the ESP-A group were higher than CONTROL-A group values (<i>p</i> = 0.05). In contrast, TNF, IL-6, ALT, AST, HYP, MPO, and MDA values in the ESP-A group were lower than the CONTROL-A group values (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <i>Conclusions:</i> These results suggest that esomeprazole has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in the chronic phase of ischemia-reperfusion injury, thus protecting the intestinal tissue from ischemic damage and enhancing the healing of the anastomosis line.