Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Rodent Model of Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Occlusion of the Superior Mesenteric Artery
Published on: October 20, 2023
The potential protective effect of modafinil in intestinal ischemic reperfusion-induced in rats
MahaYehia Kamel1, Sabreen Mahmoud Ahmed2, WalaaYehia Abdelzaher1
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Egypt.
Objective:
Intestinal ischemia reperfusion (IR) is a pathophysiologic process that leads to oxidative stress and acute inflammatory responses. Understanding the mechanisms explaining this inflammation is essential to developing therapeutic strategies. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective outcome of modafinil (Mod) against intestinal damages caused by intestinal IR injury.
Methods/Materials:
Fourty adult Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham control group; intestinal IR group; Mod pre-treated IR group and Mod post-treated IR group. Mod in a dose of 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally once daily for 7 days pre or post IR treatment.
Results:
Mod significantly attenuated the IR induced elevations in intestinal malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1-β (IL-1β) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) levels, caspase-3 activity. However, a significant increase in TAC was reported as compared with the IR group but its post-treated IR group was highly protective. Mod post-treatment down-regulated the IR induced cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) over-expression. Distorted mucosa with loss of surface epithelial cells, epithelial separation oedematous lamina propria and inflammatory cellular infiltration detected by histopathological examination of intestinal tissue, were markedly ameliorated by Mod post-treatment. On the other hand, Mod pre-treatment showed less protection against intestinal IR in rats.
Conclusion:
Current study suggests that Mod post-treatment ameliorated intestinal damages, so it can be considered a potential therapeutic agent to protect against the major clinical challenge of intestinal injury resulting from IR.
Insights
Modafinil post-treatment significantly protected against intestinal injury from ischemia reperfusion (IR) by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. This suggests modafinil as a potential therapeutic agent for IR-induced damage.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Intestinal ischemia reperfusion (IR) causes oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Understanding IR mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the protective effects of modafinil (Mod) against intestinal damage induced by IR injury.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Wistar rats were divided into sham, IR, and modafinil-treated (pre- or post-IR) groups.
- Modafinil (10 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally daily for 7 days before or after IR induction.
Main Results:
- Modafinil post-treatment significantly reduced markers of oxidative stress (MDA, NO) and inflammation (TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2).
- Histopathological analysis showed marked amelioration of mucosal damage with modafinil post-treatment.
- Modafinil pre-treatment offered less protection compared to post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Modafinil post-treatment effectively ameliorates intestinal damage caused by IR injury.
- Modafinil shows potential as a therapeutic agent for clinical challenges associated with IR-induced intestinal injury.
