Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Ulcerative colitis is an immonologically mediated disorder chronic intestinal disorder, which is characterized by inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of alpha lipoic acid administered orally or as colonic enema in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

Forty-two Wistar Albino rats were divided into five groups. Intracolonic corn oil was administered in the Control Group. After colitis induction with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid, corn oil via gavage (Sham Group), alpha lipoic acid 200 mg/kg/day via gavage (ALA Gavage Group), intracolonic alpha lipoic acid 200 mg/kg/day (ALA Enema Group), and intracolonic corn oil (Corn Oil Enema Group) were administrated. On the eighth day of the study, colonic specimens were evaluated and scored for the presence of macroscopic and microscopic lesions.

RESULTS

In the microscopic evaluation, the scores of Sham and Corn Oil Enema Groups were higher than Control Group (p<0.05). The score of ALA Gavage Group was not different from Control Group (p>0.05). No significant pathological mucosal changes were detected in ALA Gavage Group, and significantly lower macroscopic score and blood MDA level were found when compared to Sham Group (p<0.05).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

We determined the positive effects of alpha lipoic acid on histopathological and biochemical parameters in the rat experimental colitis model when administered via gavage. However, we did not determine any positive effect when we administered alpha lipoic acid intrarectally. We can suggest that alpha lipoic acid, when administered orally, may be helpful for prolonged remission in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, for reducing the frequency of enterocolitis in patients with Hirschsprung disease, and for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis after further studies.