Efficacy of intraperitoneal ghrelin in the treatment of acetic acid-induced colitis

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of intraperitoneal administration of ghrelin in the treatment of acetic acid-induced colitis. Method: A total of 30 Wistar-Albino rats were randomly and equally assigned to control, colitis-induced and study groups. The control group received normal saline (2 mL, 0.9 % w/v rectally). Colitis was induced with acetic acid (2 mL rectally). The study group administered ghrelin (3 - 7 nmol) intraperitoneally for 5 days after induction with acetic acid. Ghrelin was administered 1 h after acetic acid induction. Results: Macroscopic damage scores were significantly higher in colitis-induced group compared to control group (p < 0.001). However, macroscopic scores were significantly lower in study group (treated with ghrelin) compared to other groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, MDA levels were significantly higher in colitis-induced group and study groups (p < 0.01) compared to control group. There was no significant difference in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in all groups. Conclusion: Ghrelin significantly lowers macroscopic damage and MDA levels in acetic-acid colitis. Further long-term studies on intraperitoneal ghrelin treatment in chronic colitis models may be able to clearly show the effects of treatment on oxidative markers.