Ursodeoxycholic acid protects neonatal rats from necrotizing enterocolitis: a biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical study

Abstract

Background The pathophysiology of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) includes the massive production of endogenous cytokines with exaggerated activation of inflammatory pathways. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic agent. We investigated the possible protective effects of UDCA in a neonatal rat pup model of NEC. Methods We randomly divided rat pups into three groups: a control group, a non-treated NEC group, and a UDCA-treated NEC group. We induced NEC by feeding formula enterally and via hypoxia/reoxygenation. Intestinal samples were collected for histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation. Blood samples were taken for biochemical analyses. Results UDCA significantly reduced the extents of terminal ileal and jejunal injuries compared to the NEC group (p < .01), reduced Bax and caspase-3 immunoreactivities (both p < .01), and lowered serum levels of platelet-activating factor and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (p < .01, p = .023, respectively). Conclusions In a rat model of NEC, UDCA protects against adverse intestinal histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical changes. UDCA significantly reduces the effects of NEC on the rat pup intestine.