TNF-α Blockade Efficiently Reduced Severe Intestinal Damage in Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe gastrointestinal disease affecting premature infants.
• Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of NEC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of infliximab, a TNF-α inhibitor, in an experimental rat model of NEC.
• To assess the impact of infliximab on intestinal injury, apoptosis, and oxidative stress markers in NEC.

Main Methods:

• Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were induced with NEC via enteral feeding, hypoxia-hyperoxia, and cold stress.
• Infliximab (10 mg/kg daily) was administered intraperitoneally to the NEC+infliximab group.
• Histopathological, immunohistochemical (TUNEL, caspase-3), and biochemical analyses (TAS, TOS, MDA, MPO, TNF-α) were performed on excised tissues.

Main Results:

• Infliximab treatment improved clinical scores, weight gain, and survival rates in the NEC+infliximab group compared to the NEC group.
• Histopathology and apoptosis markers (TUNEL, caspase-3) showed significantly reduced intestinal damage in the infliximab-treated group.
• Biochemical analysis revealed decreased MDA, MPO, TNF-α, and TOS, with increased TAS in the NEC+infliximab group.

Conclusions:

• TNF-α blockade with infliximab effectively mitigates intestinal injury and preserves tissue integrity in experimental NEC.
• Infliximab demonstrates potential as an alternative therapeutic strategy for managing NEC.
• The protective mechanisms involve complex modulation of inflammatory and oxidative pathways in NEC.