Ursodeoxycholic acid ameliorates ibuprofen-induced enteropathy in the rat

Background: The objective of the study was to determine whether ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursodiol) is protective against ibuprofen (IBU)-induced enteropathy. Methods: Using the chronically catheterized rat model, IBU (60 mg/kg body weight per day) was infused via the gastric catheter twice daily. Pancreatic enzyme (PE 10,000 U lipase/kp body weight per day) and Ursodiol (10 mg/kg body weight per day) in two doses were infused via the duodenal catheter. Rats were assigned to one of six treatment groups and were administered treatment for 20 days: control, IBU, PE, IBU + PE, IBU + Ursodiol, and IBU + PE + Ursodiol. The entire jejunum, ileum, cecum, and colon were available for histologic analysis using previously described techniques. Results: Addition of Ursodiol to high-dose IBU and normal doses of PE showed a significant reduction in the percentage of rats with ulcers (P < 0.05), total number of serositis events (P < 0.01), total number of severe ulcers (P < 0.001), and an absence of ulcers in the large intestine. Conclusions: Ursodiol, the drug of choice for the treatment of cystic fibrosis liver disease, may offer a safe method of using high-dose IBU in these patients by ameliorating the enteropathy.