The influence of somatostatin on bacterial translocation

Background. Bacterial translocation is defined as the passage of bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract to extraintestinal sites mostly as a consequence of the loss of the gut barrier function. Somatostatin and octreotide, exerting many inhibitory effects on the gastrointestinal tract, have been evidenced to promote bacterial translocation. Methods. Design: experimental research. Setting: University teaching Hospital. Interventions: Sixteen pigs forming the study group received 25 mug/kg of octreotide twice a day for ten days. A control group (n=16) received an equal volume of saline solution for the same period. All animals were sacrificed and tissue cultures were obtained from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), liver and spleen. Portal venous and central venous blood samples were also withdrawn for culture. Results. In the octreotide group, cultures were positive for bacteria in 43.7% (7/16) of animals, Viable bacteria were recovered from MLN, liver and spleen. Portal and systemic blood cultures showed no growth of bacteria, The mean value of bacterial detection in MLN, liver and spleen was 196 +/- 13 CFU/g, 190 +/- 26 CFU/g, and 173 +/-0 CFU/g, respectively, P value was not statistically significant, Bacterial translocation did not occur in the animals of the control group. Fisher's exact test revealed a statistically significant difference (p <0.007) between the two groups regarding bacterial translocation to MLN, Conclusions. The administration of octreotide is followed by a conspicuous increase in bacterial translocation in pigs, Further clinical studies are needed to demonstrate similar effects on humans.