To investigate the effects of pringle manoeuver(Pm) on intestinal barrier function in cirrhotic rats.

A total of 40 male SD liver cirrhotic rats was randomly divided into four equal groups: sham operation (n = 10), Pm of 10 min (n = 10), Pm of 20 min (n = 10) and Pm of 30 min (n = 10) respectively. All the animals were gavaged with lactulose and mannitol 18 hours after the operation. The urine of next 6 hours was collected and the ratio of the two sugars’ percentage (L/M) ratio was measured to test the intestinal permeability. The distal ileum was collected for histological and electron microscopy examination 24 hours after the operation.

Histological examination showed that the pathological damage of small intestine significantly increased in Pm of 10 min group. Electron microscopy examination showed that the microvillis became edema, shorter and the tight junctions became wider in Pm of 10 min group. While in Pm of 20 min group, the microvillis disruption and loss were noted, and the cellular organelle became swollen. In Pm of 30 min group, it was noted that many of the mucosal villi contained necrotic cells, the microvillis desquamated and the tight junctions were destroyed. The L/M ratio of the urine in Pm of 10 min group (0.069 ± 0.022) was significantly higher than that in sham operation group(0.047 ± 0.016), and the L/M ratio increased with prolongation of pringle maneuver.

Occlusion of the hepatoduodenal ligament results in an increase of intestinal permeability and damages of the intestinal barrier function in cirrhotic rats.