HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA LEAD TO TRANSMURAL INFLAMMATION OF COLON AND INCREASE SEVERITY OF DISEASE IN ACETIC ACID-INDUCED COLITIS IN RAT

Abstract

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) induced by feeding rats high methionine diet on the colon wall. Colonic damages caused by Hhcy were compared with those induced by acetic –acid induced colitis.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250g) were divided into four groups: group C (control), group M (received 1 g/kg methionine p. o. during 15 d), group A (colitis was induced by transrectal administration of acetic acid 4% on 8th day) and group MA (received methionine and acetic acid). At the end of the study, plasma homocysteine, C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocytes (WBC) count were evaluated, all rats were sacrificed and distal 8 cm of the colon was dissected. Colon was weighed for disease activity index (DAI) and injuries were assessed macroscopically and histologically.

Results: High methionine diet induced significant (P<0.001) increase of homocysteine (hcy), CRP levels and WBC count compared to control. Acetic acid rats showed a significant decrease of WBC count. Mixed treatment caused a significant increase of hcy, CRP and a significant decrease of WBC count. Our results showed that Hhcy causes significant damages and immune cells infiltration in all layers of the colonic wall.

Conclusion: The present investigation demonstrated that Hhcy increased the major inflammatory markers as CRP and leukocytes count and produced transmural colitis in rats. Effect of Hhcy is more toxic on the colonic wall than acetic acid indeed while acetic acid lesions are localized in mucosa and submucosa the lesions of hcy extend to the all layers (mucosa, submucosa and muscularis propria). Acetic acid induced colitis in hyperhomocysteinemic rats increased the severity of colitis.