Pharmacological preconditioning and ischaemic postconditioning in experimental jejunal ischaemia in horses

Strangulating obstruction of the small intestine in the horse is associated with a high mortality rate. Although many intestinal lesions can be treated surgically, more effective strategies are needed to decrease the occurrence of complications related to the intestinal segments that are not amenable to intestinal resection. The aim of this PhD was to determine the feasibility and effect of two novel treatment modalities in equine small intestinal ischaemia. Therefore, ischaemic postconditioning and pharmacological preconditioning with lidocaine and xylazine were investigated in two experimental in vivo studies. By evaluating different variables for intestinal ischaemia reperfusion injury by use of histomorphology, immunohistochemistry and biochemical analysis, the results of this study demonstrate the applicability of these treatments in experimental small intestinal ischaemia in horses.