Objective: 

In this study we aimed to determine the effects of putrescine on some colonic bacteria and antioxidant and inflammatory parameters.

Methods: 

Twenty-four female Wistar albino rat were divided to 4 groups; control, colitis, colitis + putrescine (300 mmol/kg) and putrescine (300 mmol/kg). Experimental colitis model was induced with enema composed of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) and ethanol. Putrescine was injected intraperitoneally once a day for three days shortly after colitis was induced. The numbers of lactobacilli and Enterobacteriaceae in colon content and the glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione (GSH), IL-6 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels of colonic tissue were determined. Results were tested using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests.

Results: 

Enterobacteriaceae numbers were lower in non-colitis groups than the colitis groups and were highest in colitis putrescine group, but the differences between the mean of the groups were not statistically significant. The reduction of lactobacilli in colitis putrescine group was significant with putrescine group (P<0.05). GR activity was lower in colitis groups than the non-colitis groups (P<0.001). GSH activity was decreased in colitis and in putrescine group as compared with the control (p<0.001). Also, IL-6 and MPO levels were higher in colitis group than the non-colitis groups (p<0.001).

Conclusions: 

Putrescine (300 mmol/kg) could not restore the colonic tissue and luminal environment.