The Effect of iNOS Inhibitors and Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in a Rat Model of Experimental Colitis

Aim Our aim was to investigate the effectiveness of aminoguanidine (AMG), an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment in an experimental colitis model. Methods We induced colitis in rats. In the control group, we applied 2 ml serum physiologic intraperitoneally for 7 days. In the HBO group, 100% oxygen at 2.4 atm pressure was applied for 7 days. In the AMG group, 100 mg/kg AMG was applied intraperitoneally for 7 days. In the HBO + AMG group, HBO and AMG were applied, respectively. At the end of 7 days, rats were sacrificed and the distal 10 cm part of colon was examined macro- and microscopically. Results Severity of colitis and NO activities were reduced by AMG, HBO, and HBO + AMG application. There was histologically significant improvement, especially in the HBO + AMG group Conclusions Both HBO and AMG were significantly effective in preventing weight loss, reducing NO activities, and severity of colitis, when comparing HBO and AMG separately.