Abstract:
To investigate the ameliorative effects of egg yolk oil on dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced acute ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice, ICR mice were randomly divided into normal control group, DSS model group, egg yolk oil low-dose group(2.5 mL·kg
−1), and high-dose group(5.0 mL·kg
−1). The mice were fed with egg yolk oil for 35 days followed by 7 days of DSS induction for UC. Body weight, disease activity index(DAI), colon length, organ indices, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10)and total bile acids(TBA)were measured, and colonic histopathological changes were observed. The results showed that compared with the DSS model group, the egg yolk oil-fed groups exhibited attenuated body weight loss, reduced DAI scores(
P<0.05), increased colon length(
P<0.05), and decreased swelling indices of the cecum, spleen, and liver(
P<0.05). Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were decreased(
P<0.05), while the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased(
P<0.05); serum TBA content was also reduced(
P<0.05). Colonic pathological damage was markedly ameliorated. The high-dose group showed better effects than the low-dose group. In conclusion, egg yolk oil exerts ameliorative effects on DSS-induced acute UC in mice, and the underlying mechanism may involve regulation of inflammatory cytokine balance, improvement of bile acid metabolism, and repair of intestinal barrier function. These findings suggest a promising application prospect for egg yolk oil in the development of high-quality functional foods.