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Protective effects of clarithromycin in rats with hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced intestinal injury
Özmert M A Özdemir1, Hacer Ergin, Çiğdem Yenisey
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, 20100 Denizli, Turkey. drozmert@gmail.com
Insights
Prophylactic clarithromycin reduces bowel injury in rat pups by mitigating oxidative stress and nitric oxide (NO) levels. This antibiotic demonstrates protective effects against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced damage through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Neonatal physiology
- Gastrointestinal pathology
Background:
- Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) induces bowel injury in rat pups.
- Oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO), and antioxidant enzymes play a role in this injury.
- Investigating the protective effects of clarithromycin is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the role of oxidative stress, NO, and glutathione-related enzymes in H/R-induced bowel injury.
- To evaluate the potential benefits of prophylactic clarithromycin in mitigating this injury.
Main Methods:
- 21 Wistar albino rat pups were divided into control, H/R, and clarithromycin + H/R groups.
- Clarithromycin (40 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously for 3 days prior to H/R exposure.
- Histopathologic injury scores (HIS), malonyldialdehyde, glutathione (GSH), glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and NO levels were measured.
Main Results:
- H/R significantly increased HIS and NO levels, while decreasing GSH and GSH-Px activities.
- Malonyldialdehyde levels did not differ significantly among groups.
- Clarithromycin treatment significantly reduced HIS and NO levels and increased GSH and GSH-Px activities.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress and NO contribute to the pathogenesis of H/R-induced bowel injury.
- Clarithromycin exhibits a protective effect against H/R-induced bowel injury.
- The protective effect is attributed to clarithromycin's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Background:
This study was designed to determine the role of oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione-related antioxidant enzymes in rat pups with hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced bowel injury and to evaluate the potential benefits of prophylactic clarithromycin.
Methods:
One-day-old Wistar albino rat pups (N = 21) were randomly divided into 3 groups: group I (control), group II (exposed to H/R), and group III (clarithromycin + H/R). Clarithromycin was administered (40 mg/kg) subcutaneously to group III for 3 days. On the fourth day, all rats except controls were exposed to H/R and were killed at 6 hours after H/R. Histopathologic injury scores (HIS), malonyldialdehyde, glutathione (GSH), glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and NO levels were measured on intestinal samples.
Results:
Whereas there was no difference for malonyldialdehyde levels among groups, HIS and NO levels were higher in group II than groups I and III (P < .05). However, GSH and GSH-Px activities were lower in group II than groups I and III (P < .05). Clarithromycin significantly increased GSH and GSH-Px activities and reduced HIS and NO levels in group III.
Conclusion:
This study showed that oxidative stress and NO contributed to the pathogenesis of H/R-induced bowel injury and that clarithromycin had a protective effect on bowel injury owing to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
