Nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-
drug (
NSAID) enteropathy is characterized by small intestinal damage and ulceration.
Emu Oil (EO) has previously been reported to reduce intestinal
inflammation. Aim. We investigated EO for its potential to attenuate
NSAID-enteropathy in rats. Methods. Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 10/group) were gavaged with Water,
Olive Oil (OO), or EO (0.5 mL; days 0-12) and with 0.5 mL Water or the
NSAID,
Indomethacin (8 mg/kg; days 5-12) daily. Disease activity index (DAI), 13C-sucrose breath test (SBT), organ weights, intestinal damage severity (IDS), and
myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were assessed. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results. In
Indomethacin-treated rats, DAI was elevated (days 10-12) and SBT values (56%) and thymus weight (55%) were decreased, relative to normal controls.
Indomethacin increased duodenum (68%), colon (24%), SI (48%), caecum (48%), liver (51%) and spleen (88%) weights, IDS scores, and MPO levels (jejunum: 195%, ileum: 104%) compared to normal controls. Jejunal MPO levels were decreased (64%) by both EO and OO, although only EO decreased ileal MPO (50%), compared to
Indomethacin controls. Conclusions. EO reduced acute intestinal
inflammation, whereas other parameters of
Indomethacin-induced intestinal injury were not affected significantly. Increased EO dose and/or frequency of administration could potentially improve clinical efficacy.