Reduce the Changes in Histological Features of Colon Resulting from Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice by Worm

A Dawod Farhan1, N Y Al-Bayati2

  • 1Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Diyala University, Baqubah, Iraq.

Insights

This study shows helminth extract can reduce colon tissue damage caused by induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. The extract decreased inflammation and mucus secretion, offering potential therapeutic benefits for UC.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology
  • Histopathology

Background:

  • Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Current treatments for UC have limitations, necessitating exploration of novel therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the histological changes in colon tissue induced by experimental UC in mice.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of helminth antigen in mitigating these UC-induced histological alterations.

Main Methods:

  • Ulcerative colitis was induced in 45 male albino mice using intracolonic administration of 4% acetic acid.
  • Histological sections of colon tissue were analyzed after one week to assess inflammatory changes.
  • Mice with induced UC were treated with a helminth extract (0.1 mg/kg) for one week to evaluate its therapeutic effect.

Main Results:

  • Acetic acid-induced UC caused significant histological damage, including inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cell changes, vacuolation, necrosis, and congestion in the colon.
  • Treatment with helminth extract demonstrated a reduction in these histological changes.
  • Reduced inflammatory cell presence and mucus secretion were observed in the colons of mice treated with helminth extract.

Conclusions:

  • Helminth extract shows potential in ameliorating histological damage associated with experimental ulcerative colitis.
  • These findings suggest helminth antigens may possess therapeutic properties for managing inflammatory bowel disease.

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