Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on intestinal mucosal barrier function in rats.Methods Eighty male healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups,with 20 rats in each group.CO2 pneumoperitoneum was induced by using closure method.Pneumoperitoneum pressure was set at 5,10 and 15 mmHg(0.665,1.330 and 1.995 kPa)in low air pressure group,middle air pressure group and high air pressure group,respectively.The air was slowly injected for 0.5,1.0,2.0 and 4.0 hours,respectively.SigA contents in faeces and portal vein endotoxin levels were detected and mesenteric lymph node culture results were analyzed after the end of the experiment.Intestinal morphological changes were observed under light microscope.Results Compared with control group,SigA contents significantly decreased but endotoxin levels and positive rates of lymph node culture obviously increased in high air pressure group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).However,these indicators in control group were not significantly different from those in low air pressure group and middle air pressure group.With prolonged pneumoperitoneum time,SigA concentrations decreased but endotoxin levels and positive rates of lymph node culture increased(P<0.01).Light microscopy showed that changes in intestinal morphology became apparent with increased pneumoperitoneum pressure and prolonged pneumoperitoneum time.Conclusion Intestinal mucosal barrier function shows an obvious decrease in the damage with the elevation of CO2 pneumoperitoneu pressure and prolongation of CO2 pneumoperitoneu time.