Protective Effects of H(2)S Donor Treatment in Experimental Colitis: A Focus on Antioxidants

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 (H(2)S), as a novel gasotransmitter, has several physiological and pathological effects on the body. Our present study aimed to investigate the effects of H(2)S 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 H(2)S donor Lawesson’s reagent (LR). Our results showed that H(2)S 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 H(2)S treatment through the activation of antioxidant defense mechanisms and may provide a promising strategy against IBD.