Effects of erythropoietin on bacterial translocation in a rat model of experimental colitis

Objectives In this experimental study, it was aimed to assess the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on bacterial translocation in a rat model of colitis. Material and methods The rats were randomly assigned into control, colitis and EPO-treated groups (n= 8 in each group). Saline solution (NS) was administered to control rats via rectal route. A trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid and ethanol mixture (TNBS-E) was used to induce colitis in the experiment groups. No treatment was administered to colitis group after induction. Starting at one day after induction of colitis with TNBS-E, EPO (1000 IU/kg) was administered subcutaneously for three days to the rats in the EPO-treated group. Colonic inflammation was assessed by gross and microscopic examination on day five. Blood samples were obtained to evaluate bacterial translocation while hepatic, mesenteric tissue samples and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) samples were collected for tissue culture. Tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α) and endotoxin levels in the sera were studied. Results Significant gross and microscopic differences were found in the comparison between colitis and EPO-treated groups (p Conclusion In TNBS-E-induced rat model of colitis, EPO significantly decreased inflammation and bacterial translocation based on histopathological, biochemical and microbiological parameters.