The effect of dalargin on growth factors content in experimental ulcerative colitis

Introduction: The effectiveness of ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment is fairy moderate and it gives a rise to search for new ways of treating it. Considering the combination of dalargineffects, studying the dalargin influence on the UC development is of undoubted interest. The aim of the study was to evaluate the dalargin effect on the content of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the colonic wall in mice with experimental ulcerative colitis. Materials and methods: UC was simulated by replacing water with a 5% solution of dextran sodium sulfate in boiled water for 5 days. The mice were killed on the 5th, 7th and 28th days. The concentrations of TGF-β and EGF in the homogenate of the medial colon were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using standard kits. Results and discussion: The dalargin daily subcutaneous administration (dose of 100 μg/kg) for 7 days led to a decrease in TGF-β levels on the 5th and 7th days compared to the control group. In chronic UC, the concentration of TGF-β was higher than in the control group. The EGF concentration was increased in mice with UC treated with dalargin throughout the experiment. There were no differences in dalargin and sulfasalazine effects on the content of TGF-β, and the concentration of EGF throughout the experiment was significantly higher in the animals treated with dalargin. Conclusion: Effect of dalargin on the TGF-β and EGF concentrations was explained by its stimulating action to opioid μ-receptors localized on immune cells of the colon.