Reviewer's report
Title:Remifentanil ameliorates intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury
Version: 1Date:20 November 2012
Reviewer: Neil Gerard Docherty
Reviewer's report:
This maunscript examines the potential of single bolus treatment with a synthetic
mu-opiod agonist remifentanil (1ug/kg) to protect against intestinal
ischemia-reperfusion injury in C57BL6 mice, as induced by 30 minute occlusion
of the superior mesenteric artery.
This builds on a literature base focussed on ischemic pre-conditioning and the
role of endogenous and exogenous opioids. The work is justified on the basis
that remifentanil has been used in other models and is attractive given its short
plasma half-life and hence limited potential to promote/exacerbate sirgical ileus.
End-points were measured in plasma (IL-6) and small intestinal tissue (MDA and
histologicial scoring) recovered at 60 minutes post-reperfusion. Intestinal
segments were stratified into proximal (jejunal) and distal (ileal) sections for
analysis. Chi2 and Mann-Whitney tests were used for group comparisons.
The authors demonstrate a reduction in histological grade in the reminfentanil
group, most notable in the analysis of distal segments. This parallels relative
reduction in local measures of MDA and systemic measures of IL-6.
The question posed by the authors is well defined and the methods are
appropriate and well described. The data are sound but incomplete
Major Compulsory Revisions
1. In terms of optimal scientific method, the lack of control non IRI groups does
not allow the reviewer to assess the validity of the scoring system, particularly
with regard to mild grades of inflammation in which the characteristic features
have potential to resemble preparatation artefacts.
The authors should grade the intestines of a group of control mice and include
this data. These need not necessarily be sham operated.
2. Measurement of the plasma IL-6 levels should be underpinned by measures in
baseline control animals.
Minor Revisions
1. Discussion of Bcl-2/BAX should make reference to their role in apoptosis
2. The explanation of a reduced difference between treatment groups in proximal
regions as being a consequence of collateral perfusion is not coherent with the
observation that injury in saline treated animals is similar proximally and distally.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
No competing interests
Reviewer's report
Title:Remifentanil ameliorates intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury
Version: 1Date:20 November 2012
Reviewer: Neil Gerard Docherty
Reviewer's report:
This maunscript examines the potential of single bolus treatment with a synthetic
mu-opiod agonist remifentanil (1ug/kg) to protect against intestinal
ischemia-reperfusion injury in C57BL6 mice, as induced by 30 minute occlusion
of the superior mesenteric artery.
This builds on a literature base focussed on ischemic pre-conditioning and the
role of endogenous and exogenous opioids. The work is justified on the basis
that remifentanil has been used in other models and is attractive given its short
plasma half-life and hence limited potential to promote/exacerbate sirgical ileus.
End-points were measured in plasma (IL-6) and small intestinal tissue (MDA and
histologicial scoring) recovered at 60 minutes post-reperfusion. Intestinal
segments were stratified into proximal (jejunal) and distal (ileal) sections for
analysis. Chi2 and Mann-Whitney tests were used for group comparisons.
The authors demonstrate a reduction in histological grade in the reminfentanil
group, most notable in the analysis of distal segments. This parallels relative
reduction in local measures of MDA and systemic measures of IL-6.
The question posed by the authors is well defined and the methods are
appropriate and well described. The data are sound but incomplete
Major Compulsory Revisions
1. In terms of optimal scientific method, the lack of control non IRI groups does
not allow the reviewer to assess the validity of the scoring system, particularly
with regard to mild grades of inflammation in which the characteristic features
have potential to resemble preparatation artefacts.
The authors should grade the intestines of a group of control mice and include
this data. These need not necessarily be sham operated.
2. Measurement of the plasma IL-6 levels should be underpinned by measures in
baseline control animals.
Minor Revisions
1. Discussion of Bcl-2/BAX should make reference to their role in apoptosis
2. The explanation of a reduced difference between treatment groups in proximal
regions as being a consequence of collateral perfusion is not coherent with the
observation that injury in saline treated animals is similar proximally and distally.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
No competing interests
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Remifentanil ameliorates intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury
Version: 1Date:20 November 2012
Reviewer: Neil Gerard Docherty
Reviewer's report:
This maunscript examines the potential of single bolus treatment with a synthetic
mu-opiod agonist remifentanil (1ug/kg) to protect against intestinal
ischemia-reperfusion injury in C57BL6 mice, as induced by 30 minute occlusion
of the superior mesenteric artery.
This builds on a literature base focussed on ischemic pre-conditioning and the
role of endogenous and exogenous opioids. The work is justified on the basis
that remifentanil has been used in other models and is attractive given its short
plasma half-life and hence limited potential to promote/exacerbate sirgical ileus.
End-points were measured in plasma (IL-6) and small intestinal tissue (MDA and
histologicial scoring) recovered at 60 minutes post-reperfusion. Intestinal
segments were stratified into proximal (jejunal) and distal (ileal) sections for
analysis. Chi2 and Mann-Whitney tests were used for group comparisons.
The authors demonstrate a reduction in histological grade in the reminfentanil
group, most notable in the analysis of distal segments. This parallels relative
reduction in local measures of MDA and systemic measures of IL-6.
The question posed by the authors is well defined and the methods are
appropriate and well described. The data are sound but incomplete
Major Compulsory Revisions
1. In terms of optimal scientific method, the lack of control non IRI groups does
not allow the reviewer to assess the validity of the scoring system, particularly
with regard to mild grades of inflammation in which the characteristic features
have potential to resemble preparatation artefacts.
The authors should grade the intestines of a group of control mice and include
this data. These need not necessarily be sham operated.
2. Measurement of the plasma IL-6 levels should be underpinned by measures in
baseline control animals.
Minor Revisions
1. Discussion of Bcl-2/BAX should make reference to their role in apoptosis
2. The explanation of a reduced difference between treatment groups in proximal
regions as being a consequence of collateral perfusion is not coherent with the
observation that injury in saline treated animals is similar proximally and distally.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
No competing interests
assistant