Retinoic acid and intestinal wound healing in intra-operatively irradiated rat

Aim : This study was undertaken to assess the effect of intra-operative radiotherapy on intestinal wound healing and prevention of its side effects by retinoic acid. Materials and methods: Thirty Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups of (n = 10). All the groups had laparatomies and terminal ileum exteriorization. Group I was the control group with no irradiation and no anastomosis group 11 had both irradiation and anastomosis and group III rats had peroral retinoic acid conditioning and irradiation + anastomosis. On the seventh postoperative day, tensile strength and intestinal elongation measurements were to evaluate the effect of retinoic acid on wound healing. Results : Compared to the non-retinoic acid conditioned group, the retinoic acid conditioned group had statistically significant higher tensile strength and lower intestinal elongation values, revealing better wound healing. Conclusion : Peroral retinoic acid supplement administration has a preventive effect on radiation-induced wound-healing inhibition in intra-operative abdominopelvic irradiation and anastomoses.