Effect of leptin on healing of colonic anastomoses in rats

Background/Aims: Anastomotic leaks are continuing to be the source of major morbidity in colorectal surgery. Previous studies have shown that leptin acts as a growth factor for several cell types. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of leptin on healing of colonic anastomoses in rats. Methodology: Forty-eight rats were divided into 5 groups. Group I (n = 8) sham; group II (n = 10) control; right colonic anastomosis, group III (n = 10); following right colonic anastomosis, treated with leptin twice-daily 1mg/kg intraperitoneally, group IV (n = 10); before right colonic anastomosis, 45 min of colonic ischemia has been created, group V (n = 10); following 45 min of colonic ischemia and right colonic anastomosis, leptin was given twice-daily 1mg/kg intraperitoneally. On the 7th postoperative day relaparotomy was performed. Bursting pressure (BP), tissue hydroxyproline concentrations (THPC), and histopathologic properties of anastomoses; vascular tissue proliferation (VTP), collagen tissue proliferation (CTP), polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration (PMNLI), mononuclear leukocyte infiltration (MNLI) were analyzed and results were compared statistically. Results: BP and THPC were found to be significantly higher in group III and group V in comparison with group II and group IV respectively (P < 0.05). Histopathologically, leptin significantly increased VTP, CTP, MNLI (P < 0.001), and significantly decreased PMNLI (p < 0.05) on non-ischemic and ischemic colonic anastomoses. Conclusions: Leptin can be used safely in colorectal surgery since it accelerates the healing of colonic anastomoses.