Calprotectin as a Novel Biomarker for Ischemic Colitis: Experimental Insights in a Rat Model

Ischemic colitis (IC) results from reduced blood flow to the colon, causing inflammation and injury. Current diagnostic methods are limited, highlighting the need for reliable biomarkers. This experimental animal study investigates calprotectin, a protein linked to inflammation, as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for IC.

Eighteen male Wistar Albino rats were divided into a sham surgery group and an experimental ischemia group. Acute IC was induced by ligating the superior and inferior mesenteric vessels supplying the left colon. Serum and colonic tissue samples were collected at 6 and 24 h postsurgery. Calprotectin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and histopathological examination was performed. Investigators performing histopathological scoring and data analysis were blinded to group assignments.

No significant difference in serum calprotectin levels was observed at 6 h between groups (P > 0.05). At 24 h, the ischemia group showed significantly higher serum calprotectin levels compared to the sham group (P < 0.001). Tissue calprotectin levels were also significantly elevated in the ischemia group (P < 0.001). Histopathological analysis revealed severe mucosal damage in the ischemia group, correlating with increased calprotectin levels. The fold increase of calprotectin levels in the ischemia group at 24 h was approximately two-fold in serum and five-fold in tissue compared to the sham group.

Elevated calprotectin levels in serum and colonic tissue correlate with the severity of ischemic injury in this IC rat model. Calprotectin shows promise as a biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring IC, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. However, the small sample size and exclusive use of male rats represent limitations that necessitate further validation.