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Emu Oil Reduces Colonic Damage Severity in a Mouse Model of Chronic Ulcerative Colitis
Author(s) -
Safaeian Romina,
Howarth Gordon S,
Lawrance Ian C,
Trinder Debbie,
Mashtoub Suzanne
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.1049.9
Subject(s) - ulcerative colitis , gastroenterology , medicine , colitis , edema , inflammatory bowel disease , disease
Background/Aims Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterised by large intestinal inflammation and ulceration. Previously, Emu Oil (EO) has been reported to protect the intestine in models of NSAID‐enteropathy, mucositis and acute UC. It was hypothesized that EO would reduce disease and colonic damage severity in a mouse model of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)‐induced chronic UC. Methods Mice (n=10/group) were gavaged with water or EO (80microL [low dose] or 160microL [high dose]) thrice weekly. Mice were subjected to two cycles each consisting of water or DSS (2% w/v) ad libitum for one week and two weeks water recovery. Mice were euthanized two days after a third week of DSS. Disease activity index (DAI), burrowing activity and histologically‐assessed damage were quantified. Data were statistically analysed using ANOVA with LSD and Kruskal Wallis with Mann Whitney U tests. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results DAI was significantly greater in DSS controls compared to controls (P<0.05). EO‐low dose (days 6–9, 26–35) and EO‐high dose (days 6–16, 25–26, 33–35, 45) reduced DAI compared to DSS controls (P<0.05). DSS reduced burrowing activity in mice compared to controls; an effect significantly improved by both doses of EO (days 27, 40; P<0.05). In DSS‐treated mice, colonic damage severity increased compared to controls (P<0.001). Importantly, both doses of EO significantly decreased damage severity in the distal colon compared to DSS controls (P<0.001). Conclusions Emu Oil reduced colonic damage severity and disease activity and increased burrowing activity in experimentally‐induced chronic UC, suggesting potential as a treatment adjunct for UC. Support or Funding Information N/A