Superoxide dismutase promotes ATP and GTP restoration of rat small intestine during postischaemic reperfusion

The small intestine of rats was prepared according to a procedure which is taken for preservation and transplantation in clinical practice. The blood supply of the rat intestine was completely interrupted for 30 min in situ. During this period the lumen of the intestine was rinsed with Ringer-lactate solution. This ischaemic period was followed by 10 min of reperfusion. As a result a decrease in ATP, and GTP concentrations, and of the total adenine nucleotide content during the preservation period occured. In animals pretreated with superoxide dismutase (i.v. application; superoxide dismutase preparation from human erythrocytes) an accelerated restoration of nucleotide concentrations during the reperfusion period was observed. From the beneficial effect of superoxide dismutase it can be concluded, that there is a considerable formation of active species of oxygen which disturb the energy generation by the mitochondrial respiratory chain during ischaemia/re-oxygenation.