Influence of the application of enemas with oily extract of curcumin (Curcuma longa) on the tissue content of neutral and acidic mucins in the colonic mucosa without fecal stream

Abstract

Purpose To verify if the application of enemas containing oily extracts of curcumin preserves the tissue content of mucins in the glands of the colonic mucosa without fecal stream.

Method Thirty-six Wistar rats were submitted to diversion of the fecal stream by proximal colostomy and distal mucous fistula. The animals were subdivided into three groups, and accordingly received enemas with saline and oily extract of curcumin at concentrations of 50 mg/kg/day or 200 mg/kg/day. After two or four weeks of intervention, the irrigated colic segments were removed. Neutral and acidic mucins were identified by Periodic-acid Schiff and Alcian-Blue techniques, respectively. The content of both mucin subtypes was measured by computerized morphometry. Mann–Whitney test was used to analyze the results, adopting a significance level of 5% (p ≤ 0.05).

Results There was an increase in the tissue content of neutral mucins in animals treated with curcumin at a concentration of 50 mg/kg/day for four weeks, whereas in the group treated with 200 mg/kg/day there was an increase independent of the time of intervention. The content of acidic mucins increased in animals treated with 200 mg/kg/day regardless of the intervention time, whereas in those treated with 50 mg/kg/day an increase was observed only after four weeks.

Conclusion Enemas with curcumin preserve the content of neutral and acidic mucins in the colonic epithelium without fecal stream.

Resumo

Objetivo Verificar se a aplicação de clisteres com extrato oleoso de curcumina preserva o conteúdo de mucinas nas glândulas da mucosa cólica sem trânsito intestinal.

Método Trinta e seis ratos Wistar foram submetidos à derivação intestinal por colostomia proximal e fístula mucosa distal. Os animais foram subdivididos em três grupos, segundo receberem clisteres com soro fisiológico 0,9%, extrato oleoso de curcumina nas concentrações de 50 mg/kg/dia ou 200 mg/kg/dia. Após duas ou quatro semanas de intervenção foram removidos os segmentos cólicos irrigados. As mucinas neutras e ácidas foram identificadas pelas técnicas do PAS e Alcian-Blue, respectivamente. O conteúdo tecidual de ambos os subtipos de mucinas foi mensurado por morfometria computadorizada. Utilizou-se teste de Mann-Whitney para análise dos resultados adotando-se nível de significância de 5% (p ≤ 0,05).

Resultados Houve aumento no conteúdo de mucinas neutras nos animais tratados com curcumina na concentração de 50 mg/kg/dia por quatro semanas, enquanto nos tratados com 200 mg/kg/dia houve aumento independente do tempo de intervenção. O conteúdo de mucinas ácidas aumentou nos animais tratados com 200 mg/kg/dia independente do tempo de intervenção, enquanto nos tratados com 50 mg/kg/dia encontrou-se aumento apenas após quatro semanas.

Conclusão Clisteres com curcumina preservam o conteúdo de mucinas neutras e ácidas no epitélio cólico sem trânsito intestinal.

Keywords

Colitis - Mucins - Fatty acids, volatile - Image processing, computer-assisted

Palavras-chave

Colite - Mucinas - Ácidos graxos de cadeia curta, voláteis - Análise de imagem assistida por computador

Publication History

Received: 29 August 2017

Accepted: 30 August 2017

Article published online:
17 February 2021