Effect of Hydrogen Sulfide on Ileum and Colon Motility in Experimental Model of Peritonitis in Rats

Abstract

Background and Objective: Studies investigating the association of H2S and nitric oxide signaling with intestinal motility in peritonitis are limited. The objective of this study was to explore how H2S influences the motility of the ileum and colon within an experimental peritonitis model. Materials and Methods: Three groups with 6 Wistar albino rats in each were used: Group 1 (Control), Group 2 (Peritonitis) and Group 3 (Sham). The experiment involved inducing contractions using either carbachol or electrical field stimulation (EFS) and relaxation responses are recorded upon the addition of L-cysteine, DL-PAG or NaHS, irrespective of whether L-NAME was added or not. Shapiro-Wilk Francia test, Levene test and Independent -Samples-t tests were used for the statistical analysis. Results: After induction with EFS or after pre-contraction with carbachol, relaxation rate (%) with NaHS was higher than relaxation rates (%) with L-cysteine and DL-PAG in the colon for all groups. The relaxation with NaHS was similar in all ileum groups after induction with EFS (p = 0.073), but in Group 2, responses were higher (p = 0.003 and p<0.001). The L-NAME did reveal a significant change in the presence of NaHS after precontraction either with carbachol or EFS in the colon for all groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The NaHS induced significantly greater relaxation in the colon and it was more effective in the Peritonitis groups. The addition of L-NAME did result in a critical response with NaHS, after pre-contraction with carbachol in the colon Peritonitis group. The well-established fact is that a strong interplay exists between the NO and H2S signaling pathways.