ABSTRACT
Background: Oxidative activity and inflammatory responses have been shown to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Colostrum is a natural product with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. Methods: UC was induced in 37 Sprague Dawley rats by administration of a 2 mL enema of 3% acetic acid (AA). The control groups received no treatment during the study, while the experimental groups received either oral or rectal administration of 100 mg/kg 5-aminosalicylic acid, or oral or rectal administration of 300 mg/kg of colostrum. Histopathological and serological analyses were performed 7 days following treatment. Results: A significant decrease in weight was seen in all rats except for the test groups receiving colostrum (P<0.001). After treatment, the level of superoxide dismutase increased more significantly in the test groups that received colostrum (P<0.05). All test groups had a reduction in C-reactive protein and white blood cell levels. The colostrum test groups also showed a decrease in inflammation rate, ulceration, destruction, disorganization, and crypt abscess of the colonic mucosa. Conclusions: The findings of this study show that the administration of colostrum can improve the pathological changes of the intestinal mucosa, as well as inflammatory responses, in animal models of UC. Further studies at both preclinical and clinical levels are suggested to confirm these findings.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nicotinamide (NA), the active form of vitamin-B3, is hypothesized to have positive effects on the process of wound healing; it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, as well as an epithelization inducing action. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of topical administration of NA on skin wounds, based on histomorphometrical and pathological criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats (220 ± 20 g each), with 1 cm(2) circular full-thickness wounds on their backs were divided into three groups (n = 12): NA group, was treated daily with a Nicotinamide 2% gel , untreated group (control), and base group, which were treated with the vehicle (base) of the gel (carboxymethylcellulose). Skin biopsies were prepared for microscopic analyses. Inflammation, granulation tissue formation, ulceration, epithelization, wound closure rate, fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and vascularization were studied criteria. RESULTS: The results revealed that besides improving the wound healing by its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and epithelization inducing effects, NA also improved tissue regeneration through the increment of fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and vascularization. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the few reported side effects, NA can be introduced as an effective agent on the wound healing process, an adjuvant therapy and possibly a treatment by itself. However, its chemical characteristics, as well as possible adverse effects warrants further research.