Labetalol Ameliorates Experimental Colitis in Rat Possibly Through its Effect on Proinflammatory Mediators and Oxidative Stress

Background: Members of beta blockers drugs possess significant antioxidant activities. The current research is to assess the effect of the labetalol on acetic acid (AA-induced) colitis in rat model. Methods: Forty adult Wistar rats were separated into 4 groups, including the negative control group, AA group, AA + sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg/day) group, and AA + labetalol (300 mg/kg/day) group. Colitis was induced in rats by the inter-rectal installation of 2 mL of 4% (v/v) AA. Sulfasalazine and labetalol were administered orally for 7 days after 2 hours of induction. The following parameters were measured: disease activity index (DAI), histopathological changes and colon tissue homogenate concentrations of proinflammatory mediators IL-1 beta, adhesion molecules ICAM-1, and oxidative stress marker myeloperoxidase (MPO). Results: The treatment with labetalol significantly reduced DAI and histopathological changes induced by AA. Also, labetalol markedly decreased the concentrations of IL-1 beta, ICAM-1, and MPO in colonic tissue that were increased by AA. The effects of labetalol were significantly lower than that produced by sulfasalazine as standard drug. Conclusions: Labetalol exerts ameliorative effects on disease activity and histopathological features of AA-induced colitis in rats possibly through antioxidant effects and inhibition of inflammatory mediators. (Clin. Lab. 2024;70:353-362. DOI: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2023.230659)