Effects of Dexpanthenol and Tocopherol Applied Alone and in Combination on Experimental Colitis

Introduction: The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases emphasizes oxidative stress and inflammation as significant risk factors. Dexpanthenol accelerates wound healing and also possesses anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Tocopherol acts as a fat-soluble essential vitamin with antioxidant functions. In this study, the effects of dexpanthenol and vitamin E on a rat model of colitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) are investigated. Material and Methods: Wistar-albino rats were used in the study and divided into five groups (n=10): sham control, TNBS, TNBS + tocopherol (T), TNBS + dexpanthenol (D), and TNBS + (TD). The sham control group received 0.9% saline solution. TNBS was administered rectally to induce colitis in the TNBS group under anesthesia. In the T group, colitis was induced by TNBS, which was followed by daily intraperitoneal administration of 30-IU/kg T. The D group received 500-mg/kg D daily, and the TD group received both 30-IU/kg T and 500-mg/kg D daily. After 4 days, all rats were sacrificed, and 10-cm segments of their colons were removed. These colon segments underwent biochemical and histopathological examinations.
Results: Tissue levels of malondialdehyde exhibited notable reductions in both the D and TD intervention cohorts, whereas myeloperoxidase levels experienced significant decreases across the T, D, and TD treatment sets. Glutathione levels exhibited marked elevations in the T, D, and TD treatment groups, whereas catalase levels displayed no discernible variances among the control, colitis, and treatment populations.
Discussion and Conclusion: These results reveal that substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, such as dexpanthenol and vitamin E, can reduce colon tissue damage in TNBS-induced colitis.

Keywords: Colitis; Dexpanthenol; Inflammatory bowel diseases; TNBS; Tocopherol