Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 6, 2025
Rodent Model of Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Occlusion of the Superior Mesenteric Artery
Published on: October 20, 2023
Albendazole ameliorates inflammatory response in a rat model of acute mesenteric ischemia reperfusion injury
Abolfazl Badripour1, Mohamad Behzadi2, Amin Hassanipour3
1Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Colorectal Surgery Research Center, Imam Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
Acute mesenteric ischemia is known as a life threatening condition. Re-establishment of blood flow in this condition can lead to mesenteric ischemia reperfusion (MIR) injury which is accompanied by inflammatory response. Still, clear blueprint of inflammatory mechanism underlying MIR injury has not been provided. Interestingly, Albendazole has exhibited notable effects on inflammation and cytokine production. In this study, we aimed to evaluate outcomes of MIR injury following pretreatment with Albendazole with respect to assessment of mesenteric inflammation and ischemia threshold.
Methods:
Male rats were randomly divided into sham operated, vehicle treated, Albendazole 100 mg/kg and Albendazole 200 mg/kg groups. MIR injury was induced by occlusion of superior mesenteric artery for 30 min followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Samples were utilized for assessment of epithelial survival and villous height. Immunohistochemistry study revealed intestinal expression of TNF-α and HIF-1-α. Gene expression of NF-κB/TLR4/TNF-α/IL-6 was measured using RTPCR. Also protein levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum and intestine were assessed by ELISA method.
Results:
Histopathological study demonstrated that pretreatment with Albendazole could ameliorate decline in villous height and epithelial survival following MIR injury. Also, systemic inflammation was suppressed after administration of Albendazole. Analysis of possible participating inflammatory pathway could demonstrate that intestinal expression of NF-κB/TLR4/TNF-α/IL-6 is significantly attenuated in treated groups. Eventually, IHC study illustrated concordant decline in mesenteric expression of HIF-1-α/TNF-α.
Conclusion:
Single dose pretreatment with Albendazole could ameliorate inflammatory response and enhance ischemia threshold following induction of MIR injury. More studies would clarify existing causality in this phenomenon.
Insights
Pretreatment with Albendazole significantly reduced inflammation and improved tissue survival in rats with mesenteric ischemia reperfusion (MIR) injury. This suggests Albendazole may protect against MIR-induced damage by modulating inflammatory pathways.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acute mesenteric ischemia (AM I) is a critical condition with significant mortality.
- Reperfusion following ischemia can exacerbate injury through inflammatory responses.
- The precise inflammatory mechanisms in mesenteric ischemia reperfusion (MIR) injury require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of Albendazole against MIR injury in a rat model.
- To assess the impact of Albendazole on mesenteric inflammation and the threshold for ischemia.
Main Methods:
- Rats were pretreated with Albendazole (100 or 200 mg/kg) or vehicle before inducing MIR injury.
- Histopathological analysis evaluated epithelial survival and villous height.
- Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and ELISA were used to measure inflammatory markers (TNF-α, HIF-1-α, NF-κB/TLR4/TNF-α/IL-6).
Main Results:
- Albendazole pretreatment significantly improved villous height and epithelial survival post-MIR injury.
- Systemic inflammation was suppressed, with reduced expression of key inflammatory markers (NF-κB, TLR4, TNF-α, IL-6, HIF-1-α).
- Albendazole demonstrated a dose-dependent protective effect.
Conclusions:
- Single-dose Albendazole pretreatment ameliorates inflammatory response and enhances the ischemia threshold in MIR injury.
- Albendazole shows potential as a therapeutic agent for mitigating MIR injury.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand the causal mechanisms involved.
