Effects of octreotide on healing of mechanical ileus in rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of octreotide on mechanical ileus without surgical intervention. Methods: This study was organized to investigate the effects of octreotide (Sandostatine one microgram/ml- Sandoz), a long acting analogue of somatostatin, in a mechanical ileus model in Sprague-Dowley rats. The study was performed at Ankara Oncology Hospital, Ankara, Turkey in April 2005. The animals were randomly separated into 3 groups. 1) control group (n:10) 2) ileus group (n:12), and 3) ileus + octreotide group (n:13). Intraluminal liquid volume, as well as concentrations of sodium, chlorine, calcium, and phosphorous were measured in systemic circulation, proximal, and middle bowel segments. We also evaluated the leukocyte count, and hematocrit levels in all animals. Results: There was no difference in leukocyte count and hematocrit levels. The effects of octreotide in decreasing intestinal liquid volume, and electrolytes were significant. However, these effects were not beneficial on the mortality rates, and intestinal edema (p 0.05). Conclusion: We believe additional animal studies, and subsequently controlled clinical trials are necessary before using octreotide as a clinical adjunct in the treatment of small bowel obstruction.