Agmatine ameliorates acetic acid-induced colitis in rats: involvement of nitrergic system. (4th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rashidian, Amir; Keshavarz-Bahaghighat, Hedieh; Abdollahi, Alireza; Chamanara, Mohsen; Faghir-Ghanesefat, Hedyeh; Hoseini-Ahmadabadi, Mohsen; Dehpour, Ahmad Reza
• Is Part Of: Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology. Volume 41:Number 2(2019)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 249
• Publication Date: 2019-03-04
• Subjects: Agmatine -- ulcerative colitis -- acetic acid -- iNOS -- TNF-α; Immunopharmacology -- Periodicals; Immunotoxicology -- Periodicals; Antibody-toxin conjugates -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; 615.37
• DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2019.1578973
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-3973

Abstract

Abstract: Aim : The aim of the present study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of agmatine through the inhibition of iNOS enzyme in acetic acid-induced rat colitis. Methods : Acute colitis was induced by administration of 2 mL of diluted acetic acid (4%) solution rectally. Two hours after colitis induction, animals were treated with normal saline, dexamethasone (2 mg/kg), agmatine (2, 5, 10 mg/kg), L-NAME (30 mg/kg), Aminoguanidine (20 mg/kg), agmatine (2 mg/kg) with L-NAME (30 mg/kg) and agmatine (2 mg/kg) with aminoguanidine (20 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and continued for 3 consecutive days. Assessment of macroscopic and microscopic damage was performed. MPO activity was evaluated by biochemical method. Furthermore, the tissue level of TNF-α was determined by ELISA and the expression level of iNOS protein was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results : Dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) and agmatine (5, 10 mg/kg) and subeffective doses of agmatine (2 mg/kg) with aminoguanidine (20 mg/kg) improved macroscopic and microscopic damage compared to acetic acid group ( p < .001). In addition, these drugs reduced the activity of MPO ( p < .001) and the level of TNF-α ( p < .001) in colon tissue compared to acetic acid group. Furthermore, they decreased acetic acid-induced expression of iNOS protein in colon tissue ( p < .01, p < .001). Conclusion : It is suggested that the anti-inflammatory activity of agmatine on acetic acid-induced rat colitis may involve the inhibition of iNOS enzyme.