ABSTRACT Purpose:

To evaluate the effects of sucralfate enemas in tissue contents of E-cadherin and ?-catenin in an experimental diversion colitis.

Methods:

Thirty-six male Wistar rats were submitted to a proximal colostomy and a distal mucous fistula.

They were allocated into three groups:

first group received daily saline enemas (2 mL/day) and the two other groups daily enemas with sucralfate at dosage of 1 or 2 g/kg/day, respectively. Six animals of each group were euthanized after two weeks and six animals after four weeks. The inflammation of the excluded mucosa was evaluated by histological analysis. The oxidative damage was quantified by measurement of malondialdehyde tissue levels. The expression of E-cadherin and ?-catenin was identified by immunohistochemistry, and its contents were quantified by computer-assisted image analysis.

Results:

Sucralfate enemas reduced inflammation in animals subjected to treatment with 2 g/kg/day by four weeks, and the levels of oxidative damage in mucosa without fecal stream irrespective of concentration and time of intervention. E-cadherin and ?-catenin content increased in segments without fecal stream in those animals subjected to treatment with sucralfate.

Conclusions:

Sucralfate reduces the inflammation and oxidative stress and increases the tissue content of E-cadherin and ?-catenin in colonic mucosa devoid to the fecal stream.