Bombesin ameliorates colonic damage in experimental colitis

In the present study we investigated the possible therapeutic effects of bo mbesin on an experimentally induced colitis model in rats. Inflammation of the colon was induced by a single intracolonic administration of 30 mg of 2 ,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) at 8 cm from the anus. Immediatel y after the induction of colitis, some rats were given bombesin (10 mu g/kg ; subcutaneously) three times a day for 14 days, while another group receiv ed vehicle treatment, On day 14, the rats were decapitated and plasma carbo nyl content and tissue myeloperoxidase level, as an index of granulocyte in filtration into intestinal tissue, were determined in order to obtain an ob jective evaluation of colonic injury. In the colitis group, increased macro scopic damage score, elevated MPO level and high plasma carbonyl content, t ogether with the microscopic appearance revealed severe inflammatory change s resembling IBD. Bombesin treatment attenuated the TNBS-induced colonic da mage and stimulated histopathologically apparent mucosal proliferation, sug gesting that bombesin may play a role in protecting gut integrity.