Effects of Hesperidin and Diosmin on Necrotizing Enterocolitis: An Experimental Study

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious intestinal illness in newborns. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of hesperidin (Hsd) and diosmin on NEC. Methods: Thirty newborn rats were divided into 3 groups: The control group (n = 10), the NEC group (n = 10), and the treatment group (n = 10). The treatment group was given 100 mg/kg of the flavonoid by oral gavage twice daily. On day 5 of the study, animals were sacrificed under anesthesia. After laparotomy, the tissue samples were obtained from the stomach, cecum, and ileum. NEC scoring was performed histopathologically. Apoptotic changes were evaluated by TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated biotin–deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling) staining. Furthermore, levels of oxidants and antioxidants were determined by biochemical analyzes of the tissues. Results: Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly higher in the NEC group than in the control group in all gastrointestinal tract regions examined. Similar to the control group, GSH-Px and MDA were found to be low only in the cecum in the group treated with flavonoids. NEC damage score and apoptotic index in all 3 regions examined were significantly higher in the NEC group than in the control and treatment groups. The apoptotic index values in the treatment group were similar in the stomach and cecum, and the NEC damage score was similar to those in the control group only in the cecum. Conclusions: Hsd and diosmin treatment significantly reduces the severity of NEC-induced damage and apoptotic cell death, especially in the cecum.