Effect of honey on TNBS-induced colitis in rats: histological and immunohistochemical study

IBD is a chronic relapsing and nonspecific disorder characterized by colonic mucosal disruption and ulceration. Drugs currently used to manage IBD have potentially serious side effects that limit their use. Developing new drug treatment is, therefore, an important goal in treating IBD. Honey has known wound healing, antimicrobial and even antitumouricidal properties, hence, it could represent an alternate, safer treatment for IBD. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic role of honey in an experimental model of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. After the induction of colitis with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid [TNBS] in rats, physiological saline, honey or prednisolone enemas were applied to the rats once daily for 3 days [short-term treatment groups, acute colitis model] or 14 days [long-term treatment groups, chronic colitis model]. Control groups received only ethanol [the solvent of TNBS] and saline enemas. Rats were killed on the 4[th] or 15[th] days and colonic mucosal damage was assessed histologically, histochemically [goblet cell area% in Alcian blue-stained sections] and immunohistochemically [COX-2 immunostaining]. Histological evaluation of colon specimens revealed that prednisolone was superior to honey in the short-term model. However, in the long-term model honey appeared to be more effective treatment than prednisolone as it had stronger effects on inflammation. Honey significantly attenuated the damage score, corrected the disturbances in morphology associated to TNBS-induced colitis and significantly increased the amount of mucous stained by Alcian blue, but it did not affect mucosal mast cell numbers. Immunohistochemical results showed that short-term therapy with either honey or prednisolone, did not reduce the upregulated COX-2 immunoreactivity associated to TNBS administration, however, long-term treatment with honey markedly reduced COX-2 expression in the colon mucosa compared with prednisolone. Long-term intrarectal administration of honey appeared to be as effective method of treatment as prednisolone, in an experimental model of chronic colitis simulating human IBD

Effect of soluble fiber or fructooligosaccharide supplementation upon trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid induced colitis in rats / Efeito da suplementação de fibra solúvel ou frutooligossacarídeo na colite induzida por ácido trinitrobenzenossulfônico em ratos

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of soluble fiber or fructooligosaccharide (FOS) supplementation upon trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats. METHODS: 64 Wistar rats were given water, soluble fiber or FOS intragastrically during 14 days prior to colitis induction with TNBS (n=48) or rectal enema with water (n=16; control group). On the 7th or 14th day following colitis induction the rats were weighed and euthanized in order to determine the colon weight/length ratio and macroscopic and microscopic scores. RESULTS: On the 7th day following colitis induction the body weight had decreased significantly, the colon weight/length ratio had increased and macroscopic and microscopic colon lesions were observed. On the 14th day following colitis induction no difference in body weight was observed, in spite of the persistence of macroscopic and microscopic lesions and increased colon weight/length ratio. Supplementation with soluble fiber or FOS did not revert colon lesions or any of the study parameters. Supplementation with FOS, but not with fiber, was associated with increased colon weight/length ratio on the 14th day. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with soluble fiber or FOS produced no significant impact on TNBS-induced colitis in rats.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a suplementação de fibra solúvel ou frutooligossacarídeos (FOS) na colite induzida por TNBS em ratos. MÉTODOS: Sessenta e quatro ratos Wistar receberam por gavagem água, fibra solúvel ou FOS. Após 14 dias, foram submetidos à indução de colite com TNBS. O grupo controle recebeu água por gavagem e por enema retal. Decorridos 7 ou 14 dias, após a avaliação do peso, os ratos foram sacrificados e o peso do colo, escores macroscópicos e microscópicos da lesão cólica foram aferidos. RESULTADOS: No 7° dia após indução da colite, houve uma significativa diminuição do peso dos ratos, um aumento do peso do cólon e lesão cólica macroscópica/microscópica. A suplementação com fibra ou FOS não reverteu nenhum destes parâmetros. No 14° dia após a indução da colite não foram observadas diferenças no peso dos ratos, entretanto houve uma persistência da lesão cólica macroscópica/microscópica e do aumento do peso do cólon. A suplementação com fibra ou FOS não reverteu à lesão cólica. A suplementação de FOS, mas não de fibra, aumentou o peso do colo comparado com o grupo colite no 14° dia. CONCLUSÃO: A suplementação com fibra solúvel ou com FOS não alterou a colite por TNBS em ratos.