Aims: 

Inflammatory bowel diseases are accompanied by severe microcirculatory dysfunction of the colon. The aim of our study was to investigate whether oral phosphatidylcholine (PC) pre-treatment alters the early and late changes of the inflammatory process in a 2,4,6-trinitrobensene-sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model.

Methods: 

Anaesthetized male Wistar rats were randomized to control (intracolon enema with solvent of TNBS; n=6), colitis (Col, i.c. treatement with TNBS; n=6) and colitis with 2% PC pre-treatment for 6 days before the TNBS enema (Col+PC; n=6) groups. The first series of experiments started 17 hr after the TNBS enema, while in the late phase groups (with identical animal number) the experiments started 6 day after the TNBS treatment. The macrohaemodynamics, serosal microcirculation (visualized by intravital videomicroscopy), inflammatory enzyme activities (xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), myeloperoxidase (MPO)), and TNF-alpha levels were evaluated and compared with the control conditions.

Results: 

Colitis induced a systemic hyperdynamic circulatory reaction, increased the serosal capillary blood flow, and significantly elevated the tissue XOR, MPO enzyme activities relative to the controls in the early phase. PC pre-treatment significantly decreased the XOR, MPO activity and normalized the microcirculation. In the late phase the TNF-alpha level increased significantly and treatment with the PC-enriched diet normalized this change also.

Conclusion: 

Oral PC is anti-inflammatory and inhibits the activation of leukocytes and XOR, the important factors responsible for intestinal free radical generation. PC pretreatment could offer a preventive strategy against inflammatory bowel diseases.

Support: 

ETT 442/2009, OTKA K75161; TÁMOP4.2.1; TÁMOP-4.2.2