Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon. However, it affects other extra-intestinal
organs, such as the kidney.
Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the histological changes of renal cortex associated with acetic acid (AA) induced
colitis and to evaluate the role of retinoids in colitis and its mediated renal injury.
Materials and Methods: 42 adult male rats were divided into: group I (control), group II (AA- colitis) received acetic acid
(AA) rectal enema, group III received retinyle palmitae (RP- treated) and group IV treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRAtreated)
after colitis induction. For biochemical analysis, colon and kidney tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α),
nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde
(MDA), total nitrite and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were aasessed. Also, sections of the renal cortex were taken for
histolopathological evaluation and immunohistochemical detection of BAX.
Results: AA-induced Colitis induced acute injury in renal cortex of animals. Both RP and ATRA showed a significant
ameliorating effect on colitis and colitis-associated acute kidney injury, reduced weight loss, decreased colon and kidney
neutrophil infiltration, NF-κB, TNF-α and MPO levels, with decline in VEGF-A, MDA, total nitrite and elevated TAC. Both
groups had less renal tissue damage and decrease tubules apoptosis.
Conclusion: Both retinoids are effective mostly ATRA in amelioration of the inflammatory process in colitis and its histological
renal impaction. This response may be attributed to their anti-inflammatory mechanism by inhibiting NF-κB and reducing
tissue alterations via their antioxidant and antiangiogenic properties.