Tocopherol Alleviates Exacerbation of Colitis Due to Cadmium Exposure in Wistar Rats: A Biochemical and Histological Study

Aims: This study investigated the effects of Tocopherol (vitamin E) on cadmium-exposed colitic rats.

Study Design: A randomized controlled experimental study involving 40 male Wistar rats (180 ± 20g). Group 1: Normal control; Group 2: Vitamin E-treated; Group 3: Colitis-induced; Group 4: Cadmium Chloride (CdCl2); Group 5: Colitis + CdCl2; Group 6: Colitis + vitamin E; Group 7: CdCl2 + vitamin E; Group 8: Colitis + CdCl2 + vitamin E.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo state Nigeria, between January 2024 and May 2024.

Methodology: The experiment lasted 30 days. CdCl2 (50mg/kg b.w) was administered orally for 21 days, Colitis was induced on day 23 with 2 mL/200g of 6% acetic acid intra-rectally, while the animals were treated with vitamin E (100mg/kg b.w) for 7 days. Diarrhea score and body weight changes were assessed during the course of the experiment. Oxidative stress markers: Superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT); inflammatory markers: Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α); Neutrophils and Lymphocyte counts and colon histology were also assessed. Data obtained was analyzed using one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s post hoc test was used for comparison of inter-group differences. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The study showed significant body weight decrease and increased diarrhea scores in cadmium-exposed and colitis + cadmium groups. SOD and CAT activities were significantly depleted, while MPO activity and TNF-α levels were markedly elevated compared to normal control and vitamin E-treated groups. Neutrophil count decreased while lymphocyte count increased in Cd-exposed and colitis + cadmium groups compared to the normal control. Histological evaluation revealed inflammation and epithelial erosion in the colitis + cadmium group, with observed healing in vitamin E-treated groups.

Conclusion: This study revealed vitamin E’s potential to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation in colitis when heightened by cadmium toxicity. This findings provides new insights into the role of vitamin E in preventing and treating inflammatory conditions.