Chia seed oil attenuates titanium dioxide nanoparticles-induced ulcerative colitis in rats through suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway "Histological and Molecular Study".

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) are used as a whitening agent in food industry and considered a risk factor for UC. Chia seed oil is nutrient-rich oil with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) detects danger signals forming NLRP3 inflammasome complex. This study assessed the attenuating effect of chia seed oil against TiO₂ NPs-induced UC. Forty-eight adult male rats were divided into 4 groups; control, chia: received oral chia seed oil (2.5 ml/kg/day) for 3 weeks, TiO₂: received TiO₂ NPs (100 mg/kg) orally for 2 weeks and TiO₂+chia group: received chia seed oil for 1 week before TiO₂ NPs and continued for 2 weeks. Colon specimens were dissected out for histological and molecular analysis (RT-qPCR) and evaluation of oxidative stress. Serum level of inflammatory cytokines was also measured. Compared to TiO₂ group, TiO₂+chia group showed amelioration of histological changes as preservation of crypts and goblet cell number, attenuation of inflammation, maintenance of junctions, decreased percentage area of fibrosis, Bax, interleukin-1β and proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunostaining. Together with reduced lipid peroxidation, enhanced antioxidant enzymes, downregulation of NLRP3, caspase-1 and interleukin-1β gene expression and reduction of serum inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, chia seed oil attenuates TiO₂ NPs-induced UC damage through reduction of oxidative stress, downregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, altered pro-apoptotic signaling, inhibition of fibrosis and cell proliferation; and epithelial barrier preservation. So, it could serve as a prophylactic agent or adjuvant therapy for UC.