Effect of Granulocyte-macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor on Bacterial Translocation After Experimental Obstructive Jaundice

Objective: To investigate the effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on bacterial translocation promoted by obstructive jaundice.

Design: Controlled animal study.

Setting: University hospital, Turkey.

Animals: 30 male Wistar albino rats.

Interventions: The first group (n = 10) was the sham operation (control) group, and the second and the third (n = 10 each) had common bile duct (CBD) ligation and division under sterile conditions. The third group were also treated with GM-CSF 200 ng subcutaneously daily between the fifth and ninth postoperative days. All animals were killed on the tenth day, and evaluated biochemically and histopathologically. Mesenteric lymph nodes were cultured under aerobic conditions.

Main Outcome Measures: Biochemical analysis, histopathological evaluation, and aerobic cultures.

Results: There was no bacterial translocation in either the control or GM-CSF groups, whereas Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium were found in 4 and 2 animals, respectively in the ligation group. Although no aerobic bacteria was found in controls and the GM-CSF groups, bacterial translocation was 6/10 in the ligation alone group (p <0.01).

Conclusion: Activation of inflammatory response with GM-CSF is highly effective in prevention of bacterial translocation in obstructive jaundice.