Rupture of digestive tract organs may be due to an increased intraluminal pressure or to a weakened wall. The histological characteristics of each part of the digestive tract seems to play an important role in the tension required to cause a rupture. It has been reports suggesting that the intestinal wall resistance may be lowered by the use of steroids. The present study has the purpose to assess the rupture pressure of distinct segments of the digestive tract. Twenty mice of both sexes, weighing between 38 and 52 g were randomly assigned two groups; the first (n=10) without corticosteroid and the second (n=10) with the administration of subcutaneous hydrocortisone (1 mg/kg/day) during 28 days. After this period, all organs of the digestive tract were removed and submitted to an intraluminal hypertension until rupture was achieved. There was no significant difference between groups. Rupture resistances at the esophagus and colon were greater than that at the stomach, duodenum, jejunum and ileum (p<0,05). In conclusion, steroid administration during 28 days does not alter the resistance of an intact digestive tract. The esophagus and the colon have higher resistances than the rest of the digestive tract. The esophagical resistance is significantly higher than the colonic.
Digestive tract rupture; Hydrocortisone; Esophagus; Stomach; Duodenum; Jejunum; Ileum; Colon
