Effects of transfusion on gastrointestinal anastomotic wound healing and leukocyte function in rats

Background: This study was done to investigate the effects of blood transfusion on gastrointestinal anastomotic wound healing and leukocyte function. Methods: Closed-colony male Wistar rats were divided into five groups in a group-mixed fashion and underwent laparotomy (the CONT and WB groups) or gastrectomy and gastroduodenostomy (the GAST, GAST/WB and GAST/LDRWB groups). Immediately, they received 3 ml of saline (the CONT and GAST groups) or blood from Wistar donors (the WB and GAST/WB groups, whole blood; the GAST/LDRWB group, a transfusion of irradiated and leukocyte-depleted whole blood). The animals were killed 7 days after surgery. Results: The GAST/WB group had a higher incidence of anastomotic abscess, a lower level of factor XIII and a lower maximum breaking strength than the GAST group. Gastrectomy decreased L-DCL (luminol-dependent chemiluminescence) more than whole-blood transfusion. In the GAST/WB group, L-DCL was severely reduced, while in the GAST/LDRWB group it was roughly equivalent to the level in the GAST group. Conclusions: Whole-blood transfusion increased the incidence of anastomotic abscess and impaired anastomotic wound healing, and these might relate to the reduction of L-DCL. Irradiated and leukocyte-depleted transfusion can improve these effects.