BUTYRATE ENEMA THERAPY STIMULATES MUCOSAL REPAIR IN EXPERIMENTAL COLITIS IN THE RAT

Background-The short chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate provides energy for colonocytes, stimulates colonic fluid and electrolyte absorption a nd is recognised as an effective treatment for multiple types of colit is. Aim-To examine the impact of butyrate enema therapy on the clinica l course, severity of inflammation, and SCFA stimulated Na+ absorption in a chronic experimental colitis. Methods-Distal colitis was induced in rats with a trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) enema. Five days after induction, rats were divided into groups to receive: no treatmen t, saline enemas, or 100 mM Na-butyrate enemas daily. On day 24, colon ic damage score and tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were evaluat ed. Colon was mounted in Ussing chambers and Na+ transport and electri cal activities were measured during a basal period and after stimulati on with 25 mM butyrate. Results-In the untreated and the saline enema treated TNBS groups, diarrhoea and extensive colonic damage were seen, associated with increased tissue MPO activities and absent butyrate s timulated Na+ absorption. In contrast, in the butyrate enema treated T NBS group, diarrhoea ceased, colonic damage score improved, and tissue MPO activity as well as butyrate stimulated Na+ absorption recovered to control values. Conclusion-Butyrate enema therapy stimulated coloni c repair, as evidenced by clinical recovery, decreased inflammation, a nd restoration of SCFA stimulated electrolyte absorption.