The therapeutic effects of warfarin on experimental colitis in rats

Abstract

Objective To study the relationship between coagulation and inflammatory in 2,4,6- trinitrobenzenesulfonate (TNBS) induced colitis model as well as the therapeutic effect of warfarin.Methods Forty SD-rats were divided into 4 groups, including normal control group (received 0.9% HCI solution), colitis group, warfarin treated group (240 ng/kg daily) and salieylazosulfapyridine (SASP) treated group (100 mg/kg daily). The animal model was induced by injection with 20 mg TNBS. The blood and colon of the rats were removed and the rats was sacrificed at the 14th day. The index of coagulation such as prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and the activity of antithrombins (AT) and the level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were tested.The damage and inflammatory state of the colitis were evaluated by macroscopical score and histological score . The value of disease activity index (DAI) and the platelet counts were alsomeasured. Results The value of DAI was lower in warfarin (1.20±0.45) and SASP (1.78±0.90) treated groups as compared with colitis group (2. 25 ± 0. 89) with no difference (P>0. 05). The macroscopical score was lower in warfarin (1.40 ± 0.55) and SASP (3.14± 1.46) treated grouos as compared with colitis group (4.75 ± 1.66, P<0.01 ). The histological score in warfarin (4. 00± 1.41 ) and SASP (4.28 ± 1.49) treated groups were lower than that in colitis group (7. 75± 1.04, P<0.01). The level of TNF-α was lowest in normal control group (P<0. 01 ), and highest in colitis group. (P<0.01). The PT and APTT were shorter and the aetivity of AT was lower in colitis groupin comparison with warfarin treated group and normal control group (P<0.01). The platelet counts was highest in colitis group. P<0.01). Conclusion The abnormal coagulation in TNBS induced colitis can be effectively treated with warfarin. Key words: Colitis; Warfarin; Disease models, animal