Effect of combination of thalidomide and sulfasalazine in experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of combination of thalidomide and sulfasalazine in experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into 5 groups (n=6 in each group). Colitis was induced by single intra-colonic administration of TNBS (20mg / 35% ethanol). I group received ethanol (vehicle) intra colonic, II group TNBS, III thalidomide 150mg/kg b.wt/d orally, IV sulfasalazine 360mg with thalidomide 150mg/kg b.wt/d orally, V sulfasalazine 360mg/kg b.w/d orally for 14 days. After 14 days animals were sacrificed and colonic tissue was used for morphological score, histological score and biochemical parameters (myeloperoxidase activity, lipid peroxidatin, TNF-α). Results: Thalidomide provided protection against TNBS-induced colonic damage both histologically and morphologically (p<0.001). Morphological and histological score were significantly reduced in combination treated groups (p <0.001). The combination of sulfasalazine with thalidomide further reduced inflammation in colon as compared to individual treatments (p< 0.001). Combination therapy showed additive action of the thalidomide which reduced lipid peroxidation, myeloperoxidase activity and TNF-α towards the normal levels. Conclusions: Present study showed better efficacy of thalidomide as compared to sulfasalazine in experimentally induced colitis in rat model. However, thalidomide in combination with sulfasalazine has shown greater efficacy in this model. Supported by PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.