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Sulfasalazine (SAS) and its therapeutically active derivative--5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) are used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. 5-ASA mechanism of action on the one hand, involves the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase activity, and thus decrease of synthesis of prostaglandins, leukotrienes and free radicals, on the other hand, the suppression of the immune response in the intestinal mucosa. Myofibroblasts, which are located just below the basement membrane, are important element of the mucosa. Due to its secretory activity they may interact with other cells, including epithelial cells. Examining SAS and 5-ASA cytotoxic properties on human normal, colon subepithelial myofibroblasts (CSEMF) it was found that the first of these compounds in a concentration of 1 mM significantly reduced the number of these cells as compared to the control, while the latter exhibited an action at the 5-fold higher concentration (5 mM). Moreover, SAS concentration greater than 0.25 mM reduced IL-8 secretion by CSEMF, and 5-ASA had no effect in the tested range of concentrations, i.e., up to 7.5 mM.

Intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts play a crucial role in the growth and development of the intestine. Colitis, small bowel injury, gastric ulcer disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) accompany the increase in the count of activated myofibroblasts. In the last few years, the increasing production of electromagnetic (EMF) and static magnetic (SMF) fields due to the expanding use of electronic devices in everyday life, has led to a number of studies on the effects of these fields on living organisms. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, EMF therapy may be of medical use as an IBD treatment. This mechanism has not been elucidated yet. In the present work normal human colon myofibroblasts were exposed to SMF with a flux density of 300 mT for 96 h and then the cells were cultured for 24 and 48 h with 25 mM sodium butyrate (NaB) and 10 mM 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) in either the presence or absence of SMF. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)--dependent IL-8 secretion was determined with ELISA kit. Cell viability was determined with XTT assay. It was shown that SMF has no effect on TNF-α--dependent IL-8 secretion in control cells and in cells cultured in the presence of 5-ASA and NaB.