Therapeutic effects of vitamin D on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats

Abstract Purpose To analyze the effect of calcitriol treatment on acute colitis in an experimental rat model. Methods A total of 24 adult Sprague Dawley albino rats were randomly separated into 3 equal groups: control group (n:8), colitis group (n:8), calcitriol administered group (n:8). A single dose of acetic acid (1 ml of 4% solution) was administered intrarectally to induce colitis. Group 1 was given 1 ml/kg 0.9% NaCl intraperitoneally; rats belonging to Group 2 were administered calcitriol 1 µg/kg for 5 days. Results Plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha, Pentraxin 3, and malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the calcitriol administered colitis group than in the standard colitis group (p<0.01). In the Calcitriol group, there was a significant histological improvement in hyperemia, hemorrhage and necrotic areas in the epithelium compared to the placebo group (p <0.000). Conclusion The findings suggest that calcitriol may be an agent that could be used in acute colitis treatment.

Therapeutic effect of adenosine on experimentally induced acute ulcerative colitis model in rats

Abstract Purpose To examine the therapeutic effect of external adenosine on an acetic acid-induced acute ulcerative colitis model in rats. Methods Thirty male mature rats were divided into three groups as control, acute colitis (AC) and AC+adenosine group (AC+AD). AC was induced by rectal administration of 4% acetic acid (AA). 5mg/kg/day adenosine was performed i.p for 4 weeks to AC+AD group. Rectum and colon were excised for microscopic and histopathological histopathologic evaluations, and immunohistochemical analysis of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB). Blood samples were collected for biochemical detection of TNF-α, Pentraxin-3 and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Results AC group had generalized hyperemia and hemorrhage with increased macroscopic and histopathological scores compared with control (P <0.0001) while adenosine treatment decreased these scores significantly (P <0.001), with reduced distribution of disrupted epithelium, leukocyte infiltrates, and focal hemorrhage. AC group showed significantly increased immunoexpression of NF-kB in rectum, plasma and tissue levels of TNF-α, plasma Pentraxin-3 and MDA levels (P <0.0001) while adenosine reduced these levels (P < 0.05). Conclusion Adenosine appears to promote healing of colon and rectum exposed to AA-induced AC, suggesting a boosting effect of adenosine on the intestinal immune system to cure ulcerative colitis.

Silymarin ameliorates uterine and ovarian damage in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model

Diabetes is a systemic disease that affects microvasculature in almost all organs. Uterus and the ovaries may also be a target for diabetes. We investigated effects of diabetes on the uterus and the ovaries and the role of silymarin treatment on the effects of diabetes on uterine and ovarian microenvironment in a diabetic rat model. Seven non-diabetic (control) and fourteen diabetic female mature Sprague-Dawley albino rats were used. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin and 100 mg/kg oral silymarin and was administered for four weeks to 7 of diabetic rats. After the treatment, blood samples were collected; hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy was performed for histopathological examination. Stromal degeneration, follicular degeneration, stromal fibrosis scores of the ovary and gland degeneration and stromal fibrosis scores of endometrium were significantly decreased after silymarin treatment. Silymarin treatment significantly decreased plasma TGF-β levels and increased plasma AMH (Anti-Müllerian hormone) levels with respect to saline-treated group. This study suggests that silymarin ameliorates the uterine and ovarian damage in a diabetic rat model.