Abstract

EFFECT OF PIOGLITAZONE ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH SULFASALAZINE ON ACETIC ACID- INDUCED COLITIS IN RATS

Marwa K. Mohsen, Mona O. Abdelhalim, Lubna O. Abdel-Salam, *Dina A. Aly Labib

ABSTRACT

Back ground: Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an idiopathic disease of colonic mucosa. Drugs being used just alleviate the symptoms but do not cure the disease and have some limitations owing to their severe side effects. Consequently, looking for new agents that are more effective and cause fewer side effects are needed. Aim of this work: The aim was to study the possible anti- inflammatory effect of Pioglitazone on acetic acid- induced UC in albino rats. Methods: Rats were randomized in 5 groups; Group I " Non-ulcerated, Non-treated group", Group II: “colitis, AA- ulcerated, Non-treated” group", Group III" colitis, sulfasalazine-treated group", Group IVa "colitis,pioglitazone 15 mg/kg treated group" and Group IVb "colitis, pioglitazone 30 mg/kg treated group", Group V "colitis, sulfasalazine+ pioglitazone 15mg/kg- treated group". Colitis was induced by intra-rectal instillation of single dose of 1ml of 4% acetic acid. The colonic mucosal damage was assessed by assessing body weight, diarrhea score and rectal bleeding score, biochemical measurement of serum levels of TNFα, tissue MPO and MDA activity and macroscopic and histopathological evaluation. Results: Administration of pioglitazone 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/Kg or sulfasalazine 500mg/Kg+ Pioglitazone 15 mg/Kg for 14 days resulted in significant improvement in all parameters assessed. Pioglitazone produced comparable effects to sulfasalazine. Combination of both sulfasalazine and pioglitazone showed greater efficacy than each treatment alone. Conclusion: Pioglitazone has potent anti-inflammatory effect on acetic acid-induced UC in rats. It is effective like sulfasalazine in treatment of UC. Combination of sulfasalazine and pioglitazone produced better synergistic effect.

Keywords: Ulcerative Colitis, Sulfasalazine, Pioglitazone, Acetic Acid- induced colitis in rats.