title: Emu oil increases colonic crypt depth in a rat model of ulcerative colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current treatments for the inflammatory bowel diseases, encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are variably effective. Emu oil, extracted from emu fat, predominantly comprises fatty acids, with purported claims of anti-inflammatory properties.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated emu oil for its potential to ameliorate dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Sprague-Dawley Rats were allocated to treatment groups (n = 8). Groups 1 and 2 consumed water and were gavaged (1 ml) daily with water (group 1) or emu oil (group 2) from days 0 to 10. Groups 3-6 ingested 2% DSS in the drinking water from days 5 to 10 and were gavaged from days 0 to 10 with water (group 3), 0.5 ml emu oil (group 4) or 1 ml emu oil (group 5). Group 6 received 1 ml emu oil after commencing DSS treatment (days 6-10). Disease activity index, metabolic parameters, (13)C-sucrose breath test, and histological colonic damage severity and crypt depth were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Emu oil in DSS-treated rats reduced colonic damage severity compared to DSS-controls (up to threefold; P < 0.001). In DSS-treated rats, crypts in the proximal colon were lengthened by 0.5 ml emu oil (373 ± 18 μm), compared with DSS-controls (302 ± 8 μm); whilst in the distal colon (DSS control: 271 ± 17 μm), crypt depth was greater following 0.5 ml emu oil (352 ± 22 μm) and 1 ml emu oil (341 ± 9 μm) and also when emu oil was administered post-DSS commencement (Group 6: 409 ± 16 μm; P < 0.05). Emu oil did not significantly affect other parameters of colonic architecture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Emu oil improved tissue damage associated with colitis, suggesting its potential as a unique formulation to augment conventional treatment approaches for IBD.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia.
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Abimosleh
authors.forename: Ruth J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.forename: Ross N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Adrian G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cummins
authors.forename: Gordon S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Howarth
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001944:Breath Tests; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D020312:Dromaiidae; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009821:Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013395:Sucrose
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005227:Fatty Acids; D009821:Oils; D013395:Sucrose; D016264:Dextran Sulfate