Investigation of the Effects of Apelin 13 on Experimental Ulcerative Colitis

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of apelin (APL)-13 in a trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) induced experimental colitis model. It is also to test whether APL-13 has an antioxidant effect in addition to its proliferative and anti-inflammatory effect in colon inflammation by looking at antioxidant parameters. Materials and Methods: Forty-five Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups as control, sham control, APL control, colitis (TNBS), colitis + ethanol, and colitis + APL. The control group was fed a standard diet without any treatment. The sham group was treated in the same colitis group, but saline was given instead of TNBS. The APL control group was given APL, but no colitis was induced. Colitis + ethanol and colitis + APL group was given ethanol and 100 µg/kg APL intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 3 days after colitis. For the biochemical analysis of the tissues, levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione were measured. Histopathological observations occurred. Results: There were significantly increased MDA and MPO levels the animals that were grouped as TNBS and the antioxidant parameters were shown significantly decreased. Administration of APL-13 did make a significant decrease in colon MDA and MPO levels and antioxidant parameters were shown significantly increased compared to TNBS groups. The histological image of the TNBS + APL group was observed to have reduced mucosal damage, necrosis and edema compared with the TNBS group. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study showed that APL-13 has therapeutic effects on TNBS induced ulcerative colitis. APL-13 may be an effective substance that can be used to eliminate the negative effects of ulcerative colitis.