Intestinal inflammation is central to the pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal disorders, making the exploration of effective treatment strategies essential. This study investigates the effects of molecular hydrogen in alleviating intestinal inflammation induced in a murine model. We aim to assess its therapeutic potential through histopathological analysis, gene expression evaluation, and bacterial load quantification.
Intestinal inflammation was induced in 15 female mice using kappa-carrageenan over 3 months. Following induction, the mice were assigned to four treatment groups: diclofenac (20 mg/kg), molecular hydrogen, negative control, and positive control. Treatment lasted 15 days. Colon length was measured as an indicator of inflammation, and histopathological analysis was conducted on the colon, liver, and intestines. RNA was extracted from the colon for quantitative reverse transcription PCR to assess the expression of inflammation-related genes (TNFα, IL1β, IL6, IL10, and SOD1), while DNA from fecal samples was analyzed for E. coli and Bifidobacterium presence. Bacterial load quantification is being optimized using qPCR, with a focus on refining the melting temperature protocol for specificity.
The histopathological analysis revealed significant tissue damage in the inflammation-induced group, with partial recovery observed in the diclofenac- and molecular hydrogen-treated groups. The qRT-PCR results showed a more pronounced inflammatory response in the untreated group, while IL10 was lower in the treated groups, suggesting the modulation of the inflammatory response. IL6 was moderately reduced by diclofenac, while molecular hydrogen had only mild effects. Interestingly, IL1β was elevated in both treatment groups, indicating possible pro-inflammatory effects. Additionally, SOD1 levels were lower in treated groups, indicating reduced antioxidant activity.
The preliminary findings suggest that both diclofenac and molecular hydrogen have therapeutic potential in reducing intestinal inflammation. Diclofenac primarily acts through anti-inflammatory pathways, while molecular hydrogen may modulate oxidative stress and gut microbiota. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of action for these treatments in gastrointestinal diseases.
