Cardiopulmonary bypass induced microcirculatory injury of the small bowel in rats

Figure 1 Diameter of arterioles in mucosa. Values are expressed as mean ± SD, ^aP < 0.01, ^cP < 0.001 vs baseline; ^bP < 0.01, ^dP < 0.001 vs sham group. Time points: 1: Baseline; 2: 30 min of CPB; 3: 60 min of CPB; 4: 60 min after weaning off CPB; 5: 120 min after weaning off CPB.

Figure 2 Blood cell velocities in collecting venules in submucosa. Values are expressed as means ± SD, ^aP < 0.001 vs baseline; ^bP < 0.001 vs sham group (Time points: see Figure 1).

Figure 3 Interstitial fluorescence after administration of FITC-BSA in muscular layer. A: Control animals. FITC-BSA was contained within the vessels and the capillaries are easily identified; B: CPB animals. FITC-BSA extravasated from the capillaries into the interstitium, and a brighter flare surrounded the microvasculature (Magnification, × 650).

Figure 4 Macromolecular leakage of intestinal microcirculation in muscular layer. FITC-BSA leakage was represented as the gray level of Intestinal fluorescent intensity. Values are expressed as means ± SD, ^aP < 0.001 vs baseline; ^bP < 0.001 vs sham group (Time points: see Figure 1).

Figure 5 Leukocyte adhesion in intestinal submucosa. A: Control animals. Few adherent leukocytes (arrows) were observed within the microcirculation; B: CPB animals. Numerous adherent leukocytes (arrows) were observed within the capillaries.

Figure 6 Quantitative analysis of leukocyte adhesion in intestinal submucosa. Adherent leukocytes per 100 &mgr;m length of venule. Values are expressed as means ± SD, ^aP < 0.001 vs baseline; ^bP < 0.001 vs sham group (Time points: see Figure 1).