Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of flaxseed oil and to compare this effect with fish oil in experimental ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: Rats were equally divided into five groups of six animals each. Sham control group (corn oil, 1 ml), acetic acid group (normal saline, 1 ml), flaxseed oil group (FSO, 1 ml), fish oil group (FO, 1 ml) and mesalamine-treated group (3 ml ) as a positive control. All drugs were administered intrarectally (IR). One hour following treatment in the acetic acid group, FSO group, FO group and mesalamine group, 1 ml of 4% acetic acid was introduced as an enema. Rats were sacrificed after 24 hrs and histopathological scores of the all colonic specimens were assessed by microscope. Colonic weight/length ratio was also evaluated. Results: Microscopical improvement as manifested by the reduction in the inflammatory score and normalization of intestinal mucosal architecture was observed in fish oil pretreated rats compared to acetic acid group but there was no significant difference in flaxseed oil pretreated group. The decrease in weight/length ratio was statistically significant in fish oil-treated group compared with acetic acid group, but there was no significant difference between flaxseed oil-treated and acetic acid group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that fish oil but not flaxseed oil could ameliorate the mucosal damage in experimentally induced ulcerative colitis in rats when given in the form of an enema