Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic, inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal
(GI) system, which have become a global disease over the past few decades. It has
become increasingly clear that oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of
IBD. Even though several effective therapies exist against IBD, these might have serious
side effects. It has been proposed that hydrogen sulfide (H2S), as a novel gasotransmitter,
has several physiological and pathological effects on the body. Our present study
aimed to investigate the effects of H2S administration on antioxidant molecules in
experimental rat colitis. As a model of IBD, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)
was used intracolonically (i.c.) to induce colitis in male Wistar–Hannover rats. Animals
were orally treated (2 times/day) with H2S donor Lawesson’s reagent (LR). Our results
showed that H2S administration significantly decreased the severity of inflammation
in the colons. Furthermore, LR significantly suppressed the level of oxidative stress
marker 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and caused a significant elevation in the levels of
antioxidant GSH, Prdx1, Prdx6, and the activity of SOD compared to TNBS. In conclusion,
our results suggest that these antioxidants may offer potential therapeutic targets
and H2S treatment through the activation of antioxidant defense mechanisms and may
provide a promising strategy against IBD.
