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Updated: May 7, 2026
A Neonatal BALB/c Mouse Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: November 30, 2021
Beneficial effects of Etanercept on experimental necrotizing enterocolitis
Sadık Yurttutan1, Ramazan Ozdemir, Fuat Emre Canpolat
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Teaching Hospital, 06110, Hamamönü/Ankara, Turkey, dryurttutan@gmail.com.
Purpose:
Tissue damage in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) of infants occurs as a result of an uncontrolled inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to investigate any potential anti-inflammatory effects that Etanercept may have on the inflammatory response in an experimental NEC model in newborn rats.
Methods:
Newborn pups were randomized into three groups immediately after birth (Control, NEC + Placebo and NEC + Etanercept). Pups in the NEC + Placebo and NEC + Etanercept groups were subjected to an NEC-inducing protocol (hypercarbia, hypothermia and hyperoxia) twice a day for 3 days. Pups in the NEC + Etanercept group were given an intraperitoneal injection of Etanercept. Rats were harvested for biochemical and histopathological examinations.
Results:
The histopathological injury score of rats in the NEC + Placebo group was significantly higher compared to the NEC + Etanercept and Control groups (p < 0.05 for both comparisons). Tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and malondialdehyde were higher in the placebo group compared to the Etanercept group.
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that Etanercept attenuates intestinal tissue damage in NEC by reducing inflammation and blocking the production of free-oxygen radicals, while also reducing tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β.
