Sex differences have been found in the incidence and progression of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The reported differences in observational studies are controversial, and the effects of sex hormones on the pathogenesis of IBD are not clear. The aim of this study was to analyze sex differences in the progression of experimentally induced colitis. Experimental colitis was induced in adult mice by adding 2% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) into drinking water. Male and female mice were used as intact, gonadectomized, and supplemented with either estradiol or testosterone. In comparison to males, female mice with induced colitis had significantly longer colon (p < 0.05), lower decrease in body weight (p < 0.001), and lower stool consistency score (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis showed less inflammatory infiltrates (p < 0.001) and crypt damage (p < 0.001) in female mice. Female mice with colitis had also lower concentration of TNF-α in colon homogenates (p < 0.01). Supplementation with estradiol in ovariectomized mice ameliorated the severity of colitis. Female mice are partially protected against chemically induced colitis. This protection seems to be mediated by estradiol.
Thermally processed food contains advanced glycation end products (AGEs) including N-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML). Higher AGEs or circulating CML were shown to be associated with pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. It is unclear whether this association is causal. The aim of our study was to analyze the effects of dietary CML and CML-containing thermally processed food on metabolism in pregnant rats. Animals were fed with standard or with AGE-rich diet from gestation day 1. Third group received standard diet and CML via gavage. On gestation day 18, blood pressure was measured, urine and blood were collected and the oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Plasma AGEs were slightly higher in pregnant rats fed with the AGE-rich diet (p=0.09). A non-significant trend towards higher CML in plasma was found in the CML group (p=0.06). No significant differences between groups were revealed in glucose metabolism or markers of renal functions like proteinuria and creatinine clearance. In conclusion, this study does not support the hypothesis that dietary AGEs such as CML might induce harmful metabolic changes or contribute to the pathogenesis of pregnancy complications. The short duration of the rodent gestation warrants further studies analyzing long-term effects of AGEs/CML in preconception nutrition.
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