PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Tahan, Gulgun AU - Aytac, Erman AU - Aytekin, Huseyin AU - Gunduz, Feyza AU - Dogusoy, Gulen AU - Aydin, Seval AU - Tahan, Veysel AU - Uzun, Hafize TI - Vitamin E has a dual effect of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in acetic acid–induced ulcerative colitis in rats AID - 10.1503/cjs.013610 DP - 2011 Oct 01 TA - Canadian Journal of Surgery PG - 333--338 VI - 54 IP - 5 4099 - http://canjsurg.ca/content/54/5/333.short 4100 - http://canjsurg.ca/content/54/5/333.full SO - CAN J SURG2011 Oct 01; 54 AB - Background: Increased free radical production, decreased antioxidant capacity and excessive inflammation are well-known features in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and a scavenger of hydroxyl radicals, and it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activities in tissues. We investigated the effects of vitamin E on inflammatory activities using an acetic acid (AA)–induced ulcerative colitis model in rats.Methods: Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Acetic acid was given to 2 groups of animals to induce colitis while the other 2 groups received saline intrarectally. One AA-induced colitis group and 1 control group received vitamin E (30 U/kg/d) intraperitoneally and the pair groups received saline. After 4 days, we evaluated colonic changes biochemically by measuring proinflammatory cytokine levels in tissue homogenates and by histopathologic examination.Results: Acetic acid caused colonic mucosal injury, whereas vitamin E administration suppressed these changes in the AA-induced colitis group (p < 0.001). Administration of AA resulted in increased levels of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde, and decreased levels of glutathione and superoxide dismutase; vitamin E reversed these effects (all p < 0.001).Conclusion: Our study proposes that vitamin E is an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and may be a promising therapeutic option for ulcerative colitis.