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Nowadays, the pharmacological management of visceral hypersensitivity associated with colitis is ineffective. In this context, targeting purinergic P2X4 receptor (P2X4R), which can modulate visceral pain transmission, could represent a promising therapeutic strategy. Herein, we tested the pain-relieving effect of two novel and selective P2X4R antagonists (NC-2600 and NP-1815-PX) in a murine model of DNBS-induced colitis and investigated the mechanisms underlying their effect. Tested drugs and dexamethasone (DEX) were administered orally, two days after colitis induction. Treatment with tested drugs and DEX improved tissue inflammatory parameters (body weight, spleen weight, macroscopic damage, TNF and IL-1β levels) in DNBS-rats. In addition, NC-2600 and NP-1815-PX attenuated visceral pain better than DEX and prevented the reduction of occludin expression. In in vitro studies, treatment of CaCo2 cells with supernatant from THP-1 cells, previously treated with LPS plus ATP, reduced the expression of tight junctions protein. By contrast, CaCo2 cells treated with supernatant from THP-1 cells, previously incubated with tested drugs, counteracted the reduction of tight junctions due to the inhibition of P2X4R/NLRP3/IL-1β axis. In conclusion, these results suggest that the direct and selective inhibition of P2X4R represents a viable approach for the management of visceral pain associated with colitis via NLRP3/IL-1β axis inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) demonstrate a wide range of therapeutic capabilities in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The intraperitoneal injection of MSCs has exhibited superior therapeutic efficacy on IBD than intravenous injection. Nevertheless, the precise in vivo distribution of MSCs and their biological consequences following intraperitoneal injection remain inadequately understood. Additional studies are required to explore the correlation between MSCs distribution and their biological effects. Methods: First, the distribution of human umbilical cord MSCs (hUC-MSCs) and the numbers of Treg and Th17 cells in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) were analyzed after intraperitoneal injection of hUC-MSCs. Subsequently, the investigation focused on the levels of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1), a key cytokine to the biology of both Treg and Th17 cells, in tissues of mice with colitis, particularly in MLNs. The study also delved into the impact of hUC-MSCs therapy on Treg cell counts in MLNs, as well as the consequence of TGFB1 knockdown hUC-MSCs on the differentiation of Treg cells and the treatment of IBD. Results: The therapeutic effectiveness of intraperitoneally administered hUC-MSCs in the treatment of colitis was found to be significant, which was closely related to their quick migration to MLNs and secretion of TGF-β1. The abundance of hUC-MSCs in MLNs of colitis mice is much higher than that in other organs even the inflamed sites of colon. Intraperitoneal injection of hUC-MSCs led to a significant increase in the number of Treg cells and a decrease in Th17 cells especially in MLNs. Furthermore, the concentration of TGF-β1, the key cytokine for Treg differentiation, were also found to be significantly elevated in MLNs after hUC-MSCs treatment. Knockdown of TGFB1 in hUC-MSCs resulted in a noticeable reduction of Treg cells in MLNs and the eventually failure of hUC-MSCs therapy in colitis. Conclusions: MLNs may be a critical site for the regulatory effect of hUC-MSCs on Treg/Th17 cells and the therapeutic effect on colitis. TGF-β1 derived from hUC-MSCs promotes local Treg differentiation in MLNs. This study will provide new ideas for the development of MSC-based therapeutic strategies in IBD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Understanding the cause vs consequence relationship of gut inflammation and microbial dysbiosis in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) requires a reproducible mouse model of human-microbiota-driven experimental colitis. Results Our study demonstrated that human fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) transfer efficiency is an underappreciated source of experimental variability in human microbiota-associated (HMA) mice. Pooled human IBD patient fecal microbiota engrafted germ-free (GF) mice with low amplicon sequence variant (ASV)-level transfer efficiency, resulting in high recipient-to-recipient variation of microbiota composition and colitis severity in HMA Il-10 −/− mice. In contrast, mouse-to-mouse transfer of mouse-adapted human IBD patient microbiota transferred with high efficiency and low compositional variability resulting in highly consistent and reproducible colitis phenotypes in recipient Il-10 −/− mice. Engraftment of human-to-mouse FMT stochastically varied with individual transplantation events more than mouse-adapted FMT. Human-to-mouse FMT caused a population bottleneck with reassembly of microbiota composition that was host inflammatory environment specific. Mouse-adaptation in the inflamed Il-10 −/− host reassembled a more aggressive microbiota that induced more severe colitis in serial transplant to Il-10 −/− mice than the distinct microbiota reassembled in non-inflamed WT hosts. Conclusions Our findings support a model of IBD pathogenesis in which host inflammation promotes aggressive resident bacteria, which further drives a feed-forward process of dysbiosis exacerbated by gut inflammation. This model implies that effective management of IBD requires treating both the dysregulated host immune response and aggressive inflammation-driven microbiota. We propose that our mouse-adapted human microbiota model is an optimized, reproducible, and rigorous system to study human microbiome-driven disease phenotypes, which may be generalized to mouse models of other human microbiota-modulated diseases, including metabolic syndrome/obesity, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Video Abstract

Abstract Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) demonstrate a wide range of therapeutic capabilities in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The intraperitoneal injection of MSCs has exhibited superior therapeutic efficacy on IBD than intravenous injection. Nevertheless, the precise in vivo distribution of MSCs and their biological consequences following intraperitoneal injection remain inadequately understood. Additional studies are required to explore the correlation between MSCs distribution and their biological effects. Methods First, the distribution of human umbilical cord MSCs (hUC-MSCs) and the numbers of Treg and Th17 cells in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) were analyzed after intraperitoneal injection of hUC-MSCs. Subsequently, the investigation focused on the levels of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1), a key cytokine to the biology of both Treg and Th17 cells, in tissues of mice with colitis, particularly in MLNs. The study also delved into the impact of hUC-MSCs therapy on Treg cell counts in MLNs, as well as the consequence of TGFB1 knockdown hUC-MSCs on the differentiation of Treg cells and the treatment of IBD. Results The therapeutic effectiveness of intraperitoneally administered hUC-MSCs in the treatment of colitis was found to be significant, which was closely related to their quick migration to MLNs and secretion of TGF-β1. The abundance of hUC-MSCs in MLNs of colitis mice is much higher than that in other organs even the inflamed sites of colon. Intraperitoneal injection of hUC-MSCs led to a significant increase in the number of Treg cells and a decrease in Th17 cells especially in MLNs. Furthermore, the concentration of TGF-β1, the key cytokine for Treg differentiation, were also found to be significantly elevated in MLNs after hUC-MSCs treatment. Knockdown of TGFB1 in hUC-MSCs resulted in a noticeable reduction of Treg cells in MLNs and the eventually failure of hUC-MSCs therapy in colitis. Conclusions MLNs may be a critical site for the regulatory effect of hUC-MSCs on Treg/Th17 cells and the therapeutic effect on colitis. TGF-β1 derived from hUC-MSCs promotes local Treg differentiation in MLNs. This study will provide new ideas for the development of MSC-based therapeutic strategies in IBD patients.

Background and Purpose: Disruption of intestinal barriers plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of colitis. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a recognition sensor that mediates intestinal immune homeostasis and minimizes intestinal inflammation. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) exerts pharmacological actions in colitis; however, the mechanism has not been elucidated. We investigated whether APS protects through AhR‐dependent autophagy. Experimental Approach: The symptoms of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis in mice involving intestinal barrier function and inflammatory injury were evaluated after APS administration. Intestinal‐specific Becn1 conditional knockout (Becn1 cKO) mice were constructed and compared with wild‐type mice. Autophagy and the effects of APS were investigated after the deactivation of AhRs. The relationship between APS‐induced AhRs and autophagic Becn1 was investigated using a dual‐luciferase reporter system and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. Caco‐2 cells were used to investigate inflammatory responses and AhR‐dependent autophagy. Key Results: APS improved intestinal barrier function in inflammatory injury in colitis mice. APS triggered autophagic flow; however, knockout of Becn1 in the gut increased susceptibility to colitis, leading to diminished epithelial barrier function and severe intestinal inflammation, impairing the protective effects of APS. Mechanistically, APS‐triggered autophagy depends on AhR expression. Activated AhR binds to the promoter Becn1 to operate transcription of genes involved in anti‐inflammation and intestinal barrier repair, while deactivation of AhR correlated with intestinal inflammation and the therapeutic function of APS. Conclusions and Implications: APS protects colitis mice by targeting autophagy, especially as the AhR stimulates the repair of damaged intestinal barrier functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuregulin receptor degradation protein-1 (Nrdp1) is a newly discovered E3 ligase that plays a role in the apoptosis process of multiple diseases. Previous studies has shown that Nrdp1 exerted a proapoptotic effect in cardiac diseases. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential involvement of Nrdp1 in the pathological processes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To create a mouse model of experimental colitis, trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) was administered and the severity of colitis was assessed based on changes in weight and histological scores. Using Western blot and immunohistochemistry, significant increase in Nrdp1 expression was observed in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). This was accompanied with the up-regulation of cleaved PARP and active caspase-3 in IECs, indicating a potential function in IECs. To study this further, we built an in vitro model of tumor necrosis factor-apha (TNF-a)-induced apoptosis using human IEC line HT-29 cells. When Nrdp1 was knocked down, a decrease in apoptosis was observed, suggesting that Nrdp1 may play a proapoptotic role in IEC apoptosis. The mechanism behind this phenomenon is associated with the suppression of downstream targets of Nrdp1, such as protein kinase B (AKT). Furthermore, immunohistochemistry analysis in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and normal controls supported the same results as observed in experimental colitis. We conclude that Nrdp1 may be a promising new therapeutic target for ameliorating IBD in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) is an enzyme that plays a protective role in the gut. This study investigated the effect of IAP treatment on experimental colitis in mice subjected to forced exercise on a high-fat diet. C57BL/6 mice with TNBS colitis were fed a high-fat diet and subjected to forced treadmill exercise with or without IAP treatment. Disease activity, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and gut microbiota were assessed. Forced exercise exacerbated colitis in obese mice, as evidenced by increased disease activity index (DAI), oxidative stress markers, and proinflammatory adipokines and cytokines. IAP treatment significantly reduced these effects and promoted the expression of barrier proteins in the colonic mucosa. Additionally, IAP treatment altered the gut microbiota composition, favoring beneficial Verrucomicrobiota and reducing pathogenic Clostridia and Odoribacter. IAP treatment ameliorates the worsening effect of forced exercise on murine colitis by attenuating oxidative stress, downregulating proinflammatory biomarkers, and modulating the gut microbiota. IAP warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut mucosal barrier plays a key role in the physiology of gastrointestinal (GI) tract, preventing under homeostatic conditions, the epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa from hydrochloric acid and intestinal mucosa from alkaline secretion, food toxins and pathogenic microbiota. Previous studies have documented that blockade of both isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX): constitutive (COX-1) and inducible (COX-2), as well NO synthase in the stomach exacerbated the gastric damage induced by various ulcerogens, however, such as effects of non-selective and selective inhibition of COX-1, COX-2 and NOS enzymes on colonic damage have been little studied. The supplementation of NO by intragastric (i.g.) treatment with NO-releasing compound NO-aspirin (NO-ASA) or substrate for NO synthase L-arginine ameliorated the damage of upper GI-tract, but whether similar effect can be observed in colonic mucosa associated with the experimental colitis, and if above mentioned compounds can be effective in aggravation or protection of experimental colitis remains less recognized. In this study rats with experimental colitis induced by intrarectal administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzosulphonic acid (TNBS) were daily treated for 7 days with: 1) vehicle (i.g.), 2) ASA 40 mg/kg (i.g.), 3) rofecoxib 10 mg/kg (i.g.), 4) resveratrol 10 mg/kg (i.g.), 5) NO-ASA 40 mg/kg (i.g.), 6) L-arginine 200 mg/kg (i.g.) with or without of L-NNA 20 mg/kg (i.p.). The macroscopic and microscopic area of colonic damage was determined planimetrically, the colonic blood flow (CBF) was assessed by Laser flowmetry, and the oxidative stress biomarkers malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal (MDA+4-HNE), the antioxidative factors superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), as well as proinflammatory cytokines in the colonic mucosa (tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β)) were measured. We have documented that administration of TNBS produced gross and microscopic colonic damage and significantly decreased CBF (p<0.05). Treatment with ASA significantly increased the area of colonic damage (p<0.05), an effect accompanied by a significant decrease in the CBF, the significant increment of MDA+4- HNE, and the attenuation of the antioxidative properties in colonic mucosa, documented by a significant decrease of SOD activity and GSH concentration, and elevation of the colonic tissue levels of TNF-α and IL-1β comparing to control Veh-treated TNBS rats. Administration of rofecoxib or resveratrol also significantly increased the colonic damage and significantly decreased the CBF, causing an increase in MDA+4-HNE and mucosal content of TNF-α and IL-1α and a significant decrease of the SOD activity and GSH content (p<0.05), however, these changes were significantly less pronounced as compared with ASA. On the contrary, the treatment with NO-ASA, or L-arginine, significantly diminished the area of colonic lesions, the MDA+4-HNE concentration, attenuated the TNF-α and IL- 1β levels, while increasing the CBF, SOD activity and GSH content (p<0.05). The concomitant treatment of L-NNA with rofecoxib or resveratrol reversed an increase in area of colonic damage and accompanying changes in CBF, colonic mucosa TNF-α and IL-1β levels, the MDA+4-HNE concentration, and SOD activity and GSH content comparing to those observed in TNBS rats treated with these COX-inhibitors alone (p<0.05). In contrast, cotreatment with L-NNA and NO-ASA or L-arginine failed to significantly affect the decrease of colonic lesions accompanied by the rise in CBF, the attenuation of MDA+4-HNE concentration, TNF-α and IL-1β levels, SOD activity and GSH content exerted by NO-ASA- or L-arginine treatment of the respective control TNBS-rats without L-NNA administration. These observations suggest that 1) the increase of NO availability either from NO-releasing donors such as NO-ASA or NO precursors such as L-arginine, can inhibit the inflammatory and microvasculature alterations, as well as increase in lipid peroxidation due to the enhanced efficacy of these compounds to increase the antioxidative properties of colonic mucosa, 2) unlike ASA which exacerbated the severity of colitis, the treatment with rofecoxib, the specific 'safer' COX-2 inhibitor or resveratrol, the polyphenolic compound known to act as the dual COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitor, can attenuate the colonic damage during course of TNBS colitis possibly via antiinflammatory and antioxidative properties, and 3) the blockade of endogenous NO activity by L-NNA which also exacerbated the severity of mucosal damage in colitis, can abolish the sparing effect of rofecoxib and resveratrol indicating the NO bioavailability plays an important role in enhanced efficacy of both specific and dual COX inhibitors to ameliorate the experimental colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease characterised by repeated relapses and remissions and a high recurrence rate even after symptom resolution. The primary method for IBD diagnosis is endoscopy; however, this method is expensive, invasive, and cumbersome to use serially. Therefore, more convenient and non-invasive methods for IBD diagnosis are needed. In this study, we aimed to identify biological gas markers for the development of gut inflammation. Using dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse models, five biological gases were analysed to identify predictive markers for the development of gut inflammation. Additionally, the correlation between the changes in gas composition, gut microbiota, and inflammatory markers was assessed. The hydrogen (H2) level was found to be negatively correlated with the level of lipocalin-2 (LCN2), a gut inflammation biomarker, and weight loss due to DSS-induced colitis. Furthermore, gut microbes belonging to the Rikenellaceae and Akkermansiaceae families were positively correlated with LCN2 levels and weight loss, whereas Tannerellaceae abundance was negatively correlated with LCN2 level and weight loss and positively correlated with H2 levels. This study provides new insights for IBD diagnosis; the H2 levels in biological gases are a potential biomarker for intestinal inflammation, and specific gut microbes are associated with H2 level changes.

The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases has not been fully studied, and the therapies used have side effects that limit their use.The purpose of this study is to conduct a clinical and immunological analysis of the effectiveness of vitamin D3 in the original rectal suppositories in experimental colitis (EC).EC was modeled with oxazolone. Original suppositories with vitamin D3 in group 3 and 5-ASA in group 4 were used per rectum. The clinic was evaluated on the Disease activity index scale. The expression of MPO and TNFa, the content of neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, histiocytes, plasmocytes, fibroblasts, ulcerative defect, tissue damage index were determined in the focus of colon injury. The study was carried out on days 2, 4 and 6.With EC, DAI increases for the entire day, MPO and TNFa increase in the lesion, ulcerative defect isfixed, neutrophil-lymphocytic infiltration increases, and TDI increases. When comparing the morphometric parameters of the alteration zone in EC under the conditions of vitamin D3 use, in contrast to the use of 5-ASA, a decrease in the number of lymphocytes, an increase in fibroblasts was revealed on day 2, a decrease in the number of plasmocytes and an increase in fibroblasts on day 4, an increase in the number of histiocytes and fibroblasts on day 6. The diameter of the ulcerative defect and the TDI index have no significant differences between the compared groups. When comparing the effectiveness of vitamin D3, in contrast to the use of 5-ASA, the MPO content is higher on day 6; the TNFa content is higher on day 4.In EC, the effects of using rectal suppositories with vitamin D3 on clinical signs, the size of the ulcerative defect, the content of MPO and TNFa in the lesion are comparable to the effects of using rectal suppositories with 50 mg of 5-ASA; more pronounced with respect to the dynamics of the cellular composition of the lesion of the colon.

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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex disease with an incompletely understood multifactorial etiopathogenesis. The importance of intestinal microbiota in IBD and the role of probiotics in the treatment are being extensively investigated. This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, Lactobacillus reuteri, Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus clausii in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis animal model. Rats were randomly grouped into 7: control, colitis, colitis+BB-12, colitis+L. reuteri, colitis+S. boulardii, colitis+B. clausii and colitis+methylprednisolone (positive control) treatment groups. Colitis was induced by the administration of intracolonically 80 mg/kg TNBS. Treatments continued for 7 days. Body weight, stool consistency, rectal bleeding, and disease activity index (DAI) scores were evaluated and recorded daily. Macroscopic and microscopic colonic damage were evaluated and scored in the last day of experiment. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and (GSH) and activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the colonic tissues were detected by ELISA. Our results showed that treatments with BB-12, L. reuteri, S. boulardii and B. clausii significantly improved on clinical symptoms and decreased macroscopic and microscopic colonic damage on experimental colitis in rats. In addition, L. reuteri and S. boulardii significantly increased GSH levels and decreased MDA levels and MPO activity. When we evaluate our findings, we think that supplements of these specific probiotics may have beneficial effects in the treatment of IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Inflammatory bowel diseases — Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — are chronic gastrointestinal diseases affecting young people of working age. An alternative to basic therapy (5-aminosalicylic acid) for inflammatory bowel disease is the use of ozone, which has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antibacterial properties and no side effects in therapeutic concentrations. Objective. To perform clinical and morphological analysis of efficacy of intraperitoneal ozone application in experimental colitis.Methods. The study was conducted on 73 male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g. The animals were divided into four groups by simple randomization. Check studies were performed on the second, fourth and sixth days. Oxazolone-induced colitis was simulated in two stages using a 3%-alcohol oxazolone solution. Ozone-acid mixture was obtained on “UOTA-60-01” unit (“Medozone”, Russia). Rectal suppositories with 5-aminosalicylic acid were prepared on the basis of rectal suppositories “Salofalk”. Clinical status was assessed daily according to the disease activity index (DAI) scale. Morphological evaluation of colon lesion tissue fragments was carried out using a PrimoStar microscope (CarlZeiss, Germany). Colon tissue damage was assessed using tissue damage index (TDI). Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS Statistics 19 (IBM, USA).Results. Clinical and morphological picture of the large intestine lesion in oxazolone-induced colitis on days 2, 4 and 6 is consistent with the changes typical of inflammatory bowel disease in humans. Daily intraperitoneal insufflation of ozone at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg in oxazolone-induced colitis leads to partial restoration of DAI, reduction in neutrophils, eosinophils, histiocytes, and fibroblasts in the lesion, as well as to a decrease in ulcerous defect diameter and TDI. The effects of intraperitoneal insufflations of ozone in oxazolone-induced colitis as compared to rectal suppositories with 50 mg of 5-aminosalicylic acid every 12 hours were less marked for the DAI index on day 4; for the number of eosinophils, plasma cells, histiocytes — on day 2, 4 and 6; for lymphocytes — on day 6.Conclusion. Clinical and morphological picture of the large intestine lesion in ozone-induced colitis correlates with the changes typical of inflammatory bowel disease in humans. The positive effect of ozone in ozone-induced colitis was driven by its anti-inflammatory properties through the activation of Nrf2 and by its antioxidant properties through the inhibition of Keap1.

Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) is an enzyme that plays a protective role in the gut. This study investigated the effect of IAP treatment on experimental colitis in mice subjected to forced exercise on a high-fat diet. C57BL/6 mice with TNBS colitis were fed a high-fat diet and subjected to forced treadmill exercise with or without IAP treatment. Disease activity, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and gut microbiota were assessed. Forced exercise exacerbated colitis in obese mice, as evidenced by increased disease activity index (DAI), oxidative stress markers, and proinflammatory adipokines and cytokines. IAP treatment significantly reduced these effects and promoted the expression of barrier proteins in the colonic mucosa. Additionally, IAP treatment altered the gut microbiota composition, favoring beneficial Verrucomicrobiota and reducing pathogenic Clostridia and Odoribacter. IAP treatment ameliorates the worsening effect of forced exercise on murine colitis by attenuating oxidative stress, downregulating proinflammatory biomarkers, and modulating the gut microbiota. IAP warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis.

Given that one of the crucial events in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease is the loss of homeostasis between Th17 and Treg cells, targeting the specific molecules of the Th17/Treg axis developmental pathway is a promising strategy for inflammatory bowel disease prevention and treatment. The current study aimed to assess the impact of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) extract, rich in iridoids and polyphenols known for their potential anti-inflammatory activity, at two doses (20 or 100 mg/kg) on the crucial factors for Th17/Treg cell differentiation in the course of experimental colitis and compare this action with that of sulfasalazine. This study was conducted on the biobank colon tissue samples collected during the previous original experiment, in which colitis in rats was induced by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). The levels of IL-6, RORγt, total STAT3, p-STAT3, and Foxp3 were determined by ELISA. The expression of PIAS3 mRNA was quantified by qPCR. Cornelian cherry extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg counteracted the TNBS-induced elevation of IL-6, RORγt, and p-STAT3 levels and a decrease in Foxp3 level and PIAS3 mRNA expression, while given concomitantly with sulfasalazine was more effective than sulfasalazine alone in reversing the TNBS-induced changes in IL-6, RORγt, total STAT3, p-STAT3, Foxp3 levels, and PIAS3 mRNA expression. The beneficial effect of cornelian cherry extract on experimental colitis may be due to its immunomodulatory activity reflected by the influence on factors regulating the Th17/Treg axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Chinese medicines (CMs) have emerged as an alternative therapy for ulcerative colitis through reinforcing the vital qi and/or eliminating the pathogenic factors according to the traditional Chinese medicinal theory. Presystemic interactions of CMs with gut microbiota and the associated metabolic network shift are believed to be essential to achieve their holistic health benefits in traditional oral application. Methods This study first employed 16S rDNA-based microbial profiling and mass spectrometry-based urinary metabolomics to simultaneously evaluate four single CMs frequently prescribed as main constituent herbs for alleviating UC, the tonic ginseng and Astragali Radix (AR) and the detoxifying Scutellaria Radix (SR) and Rhubarb, on a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis rat model, with aims to understanding the tonifying or detoxifying properties of CMs through clinical phenotypes, the common features and herb-specific signatures in gut microbial alterations and the associated host metabolic shifts. Colitis was induced in rats receiving 5% DSS for consecutive 7 days. Control group received water alone. Herbal groups received 5% DSS and respective herbal preparation by gavage once daily. Body weight, stool consistency, and rectal bleeding were recorded daily. Feces and urine were freshly collected at multiple time points. On day 7, blood and colon tissues were collected to determine anti-/pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, colonic myeloperoxidase activity, and histopathologic alterations. Results Gut microbiome was more prone to herb intervention than metabolome and displayed increasing associations with metabolic dynamics. Although both the tonic and the detoxifying herbs alleviated colitis and caused some similar changes in DSS-induced microbiome and metabolome disturbance, the tonic herbs were more effective and shared more common microbial and metabolic signatures. The detoxifying herbs elicited herb-specific changes. Rhubarb uniquely affected phenylalanine metabolism and established high correlations between Akkermansia muciniphila and Parasutterella and hydroxyphenylacetylglycine and phenylbutyrylglycine, while SR caused significant elevation of steroidal glucuronides dehydropregnenolone glucuronide and estriol glucuronide, both displaying exclusive correlations with genus Acetatifactor. Conclusion Both tonic and detoxifying herbs tested ameliorated experimental colitis and elicited alternative microbial and host metabolic reprogramming. The findings highlight the importance of presystemic interactions with gut microbiota to host metabolic shifts and promote modern translation of tonic and detoxifying properties of CMs.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on the mucosa, goblet cell density and tight junction (TJ) proteins in the acetic acid-induced colitis model in rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four,10-week-old female Wistar albino rats were used in the study and divided into 3 groups; Control(n=4), Colitis (n=10) and Colitis+ CoQ10 (n=10). The colitis model was induced with 4% acetic acid. One day after colitis induction, CoQ10 was administered to the Colitis+CoQ10 group by gavage (30 mg/kg/day) for 10 days. After the treatment, the sacrification of the experimental animals was carried out. The macroscopic evaluation was performed. Microscopic scoring and goblet cell density by staining sections with Masson?s Trichrome and Alcian blue; TJ proteins were also evaluated by immunohistochemical analyzes of Occludin (Occ), Zonula Ocludens-1 (ZO-1), and Claudin-1 (Cl-1). Results: Macroscopic and microscopic scoring of colon tissues belonging to the colitis group showed a statistically significant increase compared to the control group (p Conclusion: CoQ10 showed a positive effect on histopathological changes and tight junction proteins in acetic acid-induced colitis model. However, it is thought that more detailed and various experimental and clinical studies supported by advanced molecular techniques are needed on the protective effects of CoQ10 against ulcerative colitis patients.

Rayko Lazcano-Silveira,1 Xiaoxiao Jia,1 Kaixuan Liu,2 Honggang Liu,2 Xinrong Li,2 Mizhou Hui1 1College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People’s Republic of China; 2College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Mizhou Hui, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, 50 Mucai Street, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150038, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13484005199, Email huimizhou@163.comIntroduction: Carbon 60 (C60) and its derivatives have various biological applications. In our laboratory, we have demonstrated that C60 dissolved in grape seed oil (C60-Oil) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, the effectiveness of this formulation to treat diseases of the intestinal tract and specifically ulcerative colitis has not been studied. In this study, we intend to explore the effects of C60-Oil against experimental ulcerative colitis induced by Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) in rats and a human colorectal cell line, HT-29.Methods: The rats were randomly distributed into three groups: a negative control group with no induced damage and two other groups were treated with DSS to induce UC for seven days: one as untreated control and the other group treated with C60-Oil 3 mg/kg/day. We quantified the clinical manifestations of the disease, body weight, colon weight, microscopic damage score, and colonic content of IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-1B, and IL-10. As part of the cell studies, HT-29 cells were pretreated with C60-Oil at different concentrations (0.1, 1, 5, 10, 50, 30 μg/mL) and then stimulated with DSS (10 μg/mL). We measured the levels of IL-8 and NO secreted in the medium and the intracellular levels of ROS.Results: Oral treatment with C60-Oil significantly prevented the change in body weight, reduced most of the clinical signs of the disease, colon weight, microscopic damage score, and considerably improved the profile of cytokines analyzed. The pretreatment of HT-29 cells also protected the cells from the action of DSS as it reduced the levels of IL-8, NO, and ROS.Conclusion: According to our results, we can suggest C60-Oil, as a formulation with pharmacological potential for treating ulcerative colitis.Keywords: carbon 60, DSS, experimental colitis, inflammation, oxidative stress

In this study, we explored the effects of marjoram oil (MO) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in Balb/c mice. Marjoram oil was found to significantly reduce the severity of DSS-induced colonic inflammation, as reflected by improved disease activity index, prevented colon length shortening, lower histopathological score, decreased myeloperoxidase activity, and reduced interlukin 6 (IL-6) levels. Moreover, marjoram oil pretreatment enhanced the colonic epithelial integrity by decreasing paracellular permeability. Marjoram oil was found to clearly reduce the colonic levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay and enhance the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione sulfhydryl content. Marjoram oil could exert a protective effect on ulcerative colitis through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lihui Lin,1,&ast; Ying Li,1,2,&ast; Gaoshi Zhou,1 Ying Wang,1 Li Li,1 Jing Han,1 Minhu Chen,1 Yao He,1 Shenghong Zhang1 1Division of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Division of Gastroenterology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Shenghong Zhang; Yao He, Division of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China, Email zhshh3@mail.sysu.edu.cn; heyao@mail.sysu.edu.cnBackground: Western-style diet (WSD) is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) prevalence. However, the impact of WSD on IBD development and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. Transcriptomics and metabolomics could be beneficial for identifying key factors in WSD-related experimental IBD susceptibility. However, no such study has been conducted yet. We aimed to analyze the implications of WSD for experimental colitis susceptibility in mice and its underlying mechanism using these high-throughput technologies.Methods: We fed experimental mice a WSD and a control diet from weaning. After 9 weeks, the mice were treated with 2,4,6 trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid to induce colitis, and the control group was treated with 50% ethanol (commonly used IBD animal model). Genome-wide microarray and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were used to identify the differential transcripts and metabolites of experimental colitis with and without pre-illness WSD.Results: WSD induced more severe inflammation in experimental colitis than the control diet. We found 2540 up-regulated genes and 2737 down-regulated genes in experimental colitis with WSD compared with those for the control diet. In addition, levels of 41 colonic tissue metabolites and 56 serum metabolites showed significant differences. Integrating transcriptomic and metabolomic data, we found major co-expression networks through which WSD promoted experimental IBD susceptibility, including enzymes of biotransformation, glycan synthesis and metabolism, steroid hormone metabolites.Conclusion: Pre-illness WSD increased experimental colitis susceptibility. Our results could provide important evidences for the potential mechanisms and assist dietary recommendations to better manage IBD.Keywords: Western-style diet, susceptibility, experimental colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, transcriptomics, metabolomics

Retinoid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt), a vital transcription factor for the differentiation of the pro-inflammatory Th17 cells, is essential to the inflammatory response and pathological process mediated by Th17 cells. Pharmacological inhibition of the nuclear receptor RORγt provides novel immunomodulators for treating Th17-driven autoimmune diseases and organ transplant rejection. Here, we identified 2,2′,4′-trihydroxychalcone (TDC), a natural chalcone derivant, binds directly to the ligand binding domain (LBD) of RORγt and inhibited its transcriptional activation activity. Using three mice models of Th17-related diseases, it was found that the administration of TDC effectively alleviated the disease development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), experimental colitis, and skin allograft rejection. Collectively, these results demonstrated TDC targeting RORγt to suppress Th17 cell polarization, as well as its activity, thus, indicating the potential of this compound in treating of Th17-related autoimmune disorders and organ transplant rejection disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) is an essential viral double-stranded RNA sensor to trigger antiviral immune responses, including type I interferon (IFN) induction. Aberrant activation of this viral sensor is known to cause autoimmune diseases designated as type I interferonopathies. However, the cell types responsible for these diseases and the molecular mechanisms behind their onset and development are still largely unknown. In this study, we revealed the attenuation of regulatory T cell (Treg) function by type I IFN signaling in a mouse model expressing a gain-of-function MDA5 G821S mutant. We found that experimental colitis induced by adoptive transfer of naïve T cells in Rag2 −/− mice was rescued by simultaneous transfer of Tregs from wild-type but not from the MDA5 mutant mice. Type I IFN receptor deficiency in the MDA5 mutant mice recovered the suppressive function of MDA5 mutant Tregs. These results suggest that constitutive MDA5 and type I IFN signaling in Tregs decreases the suppressive function of Tregs, potentially contributing to the onset and exacerbation of autoimmune disorders in interferonopathies. • The suppressive function of Tregs is monitored in an experimental colitis model. • Constitutive MDA5 signaling dysregulates the suppression activity of Tregs. • Type I IFN signaling is critical for the malfunction of MDA5 gain-of-function mutant Tregs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chinese medicines (CMs) have emerged as an alternative therapy for ulcerative colitis through reinforcing the vital qi and/or eliminating the pathogenic factors according to the traditional Chinese medicinal theory. Presystemic interactions of CMs with gut microbiota and the associated metabolic network shift are believed to be essential to achieve their holistic health benefits in traditional oral application. Methods: This study first employed 16S rDNA-based microbial profiling and mass spectrometry-based urinary metabolomics to simultaneously evaluate four single CMs frequently prescribed as main constituent herbs for alleviating UC, the tonic ginseng and Astragali Radix (AR) and the detoxifying Scutellaria Radix (SR) and Rhubarb, on a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis rat model, with aims to understanding the tonifying or detoxifying properties of CMs through clinical phenotypes, the common features and herb-specific signatures in gut microbial alterations and the associated host metabolic shifts. Colitis was induced in rats receiving 5% DSS for consecutive 7 days. Control group received water alone. Herbal groups received 5% DSS and respective herbal preparation by gavage once daily. Body weight, stool consistency, and rectal bleeding were recorded daily. Feces and urine were freshly collected at multiple time points. On day 7, blood and colon tissues were collected to determine anti-/pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, colonic myeloperoxidase activity, and histopathologic alterations. Results: Gut microbiome was more prone to herb intervention than metabolome and displayed increasing associations with metabolic dynamics. Although both the tonic and the detoxifying herbs alleviated colitis and caused some similar changes in DSS-induced microbiome and metabolome disturbance, the tonic herbs were more effective and shared more common microbial and metabolic signatures. The detoxifying herbs elicited herb-specific changes. Rhubarb uniquely affected phenylalanine metabolism and established high correlations between Akkermansia muciniphila and Parasutterella and hydroxyphenylacetylglycine and phenylbutyrylglycine, while SR caused significant elevation of steroidal glucuronides dehydropregnenolone glucuronide and estriol glucuronide, both displaying exclusive correlations with genus Acetatifactor. Conclusion: Both tonic and detoxifying herbs tested ameliorated experimental colitis and elicited alternative microbial and host metabolic reprogramming. The findings highlight the importance of presystemic interactions with gut microbiota to host metabolic shifts and promote modern translation of tonic and detoxifying properties of CMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a nonspecific intestinal inflammatory disease. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a selective alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist commonly used for analgesia and sedation in intensive care units. Herein, the role and mechanism of DEX in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis was explored. Materials and methods. A murine model of DSS-induced colitis was established by adding 3.5% (w/v) DSS in drinking water to C57BL/6J female mice. The severity of colitis was measured by the disease activity index (DAI) score, colon length and body weight of mice. The serum concentration and mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues were assessed by ELISA and RT-qPCR, respectively. Protein levels of apoptotic markers, tight junction proteins and genes involved in the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling were quantified utilizing Western blotting. The pathological changes of colon tissues were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and histological score. Intestinal permeability in vivo was assessed by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (FITC-D) administration. TUNEL assay was used to determine cell apoptosis in the intestinal epithelium. Results. DSS administration resulted in weight loss, shortening of the colon, increased DAI score, histological abnormalities, and increased serum FITC-D levels in mice, all of which were reversed by DEX injection. Moreover, DEX attenuated DSS-triggered inflammatory response, intestinal barrier injury and intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis. Mechanically, DEX inactivated the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in the colon tissues. Conclusions: DEX exerts beneficial effects against the intestinal barrier dysfunction, inflammatory response, and apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells via inactivation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in mice with DSS-induced colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is insufficiently explored, while most of the therapeutic agents used for IBD cases have undesirable side effects, which restrict their administration.The aim of this research was to study the influence of vitamin D3 formulated into original rectal suppositories on the parameters of clinical score, morphology, and oxidative lipid and protein destruction in the colonic lesion in the cases of experimental colitis (EC). Methods and Results: The experiment was performed on 98 Wistar male rats weighing 210-230 g. EC condition was induced by two-phase administration (dermal application and per rectum) of 3% alcohol solution of oxazolone. Originator polyethylene glycol-based suppositories, which contained 1500 МЕ of vitamin D3, were administered per rectum every 12 hours. Clinical score was defined according to the Disease Activity Index (DAI) scale. Morphometry was run using the software program “ImageScope M” (Russia). Damage of the colonic tissue was estimated on Tissue Damage Index (TDI). The following parameters were determined in the colonic lesion: neutrophil count (NC), lymphocyte count (LC), eosinophil count (EC), histiocyte count (HC), plasma cell count (PC), fibroblast count (FC), the diameter of the ulcerous defect, TDI, MPO expression, and TNF-α expression. The following parameters were determined in the damaged tissue homogenate: lipid peroxidation product count (LPP) and protein oxidative modification (POM) count. In cases of oxazolone-induced EC, on Days 2, 4, and 6, we registered clinical and laboratory signs, an ulcerous defect in the damaged area of the colon, all of which are typical for IBD conditions. There was an increase in DAI (peak on Day 6) and TDI (peak on Day 2). We also found an increase in NC (peak on Day 2), LC (peak on Day 6), EC (peak on Day 2), PC (peak on Day 2), HC (peak on Day 2), and FC (peak on Day 2). There was an increase in MPO expression (peak on Day 2) and TNF-α expression (peak on Days 2 and 4). We observed increases in the primary, secondary, and end LPP counts and the early-phase and late-phase POM counts in spontaneous and induced modes. An administration of 1500ME vitamin D3 rectal suppositories every 12 hours for 6 days decreased the severity of clinical manifestations and DAI. It reduced the area of the ulcerous defect and decreased the TDI on Days 4 and 6 of the experiment. On the background of using vitamin D3 rectal suppositories, we found a decrease in NC, EC, LC, and PC in the damaged area and an increase in HC and FC on Days 2, 4, and 6 from the start of the experiment. Administration of D3 rectal suppositories decreased МРО expression and TNF-α expression on Days 4 and 6 of EC. In the damaged area of the colon, we observed a decrease in the counts of the primary, secondary, and end LPP on Days 4 and 6 of the experiment. We also documented a decrease in the POM count in spontaneous mode on Day 2 and on Day 6 in induced mode. Conclusion: Vitamin D3 as a constituent of originator rectal suppositories in total dose 18,000 МЕ in the pre-clinical phase of EC decreases the intensity of EC clinical manifestations. It reduces the count of the cells that take part in tissue destruction in the colonic wall, of TNF-α and MPO expression levels, and LPP- and POM product count. It increases the count of the cells, which promotes tissue reparation. The obtained results are essential for carrying out further research aimed at elaboration of the mechanism of the D3 effect in cases of IBD and at its possible clinical use.

Objective To explore effects of Dihydromyricetin (DHM) on experimental colitis and regulatory B cells(Breg) of mice. Methods The mice were randomly divided into control group, DSS group, DSS+DHM group and DSS+ mesalazine group (4% DSS for 7 days). After 7 days, the mice were respectively gavaged with water (0.2 mL/d),DHM (40 mg/kg·d) and mesalazine (520 mg/kg·d) for 7 consecutive days and the disease activity index (DAI) was continuously recorded. The animals were sacrificed on the 14th day and the colon length was measured. The colon tissue sections were microscopied with HE staining. CD19+B lymphocytes and Breg(CD19+CD5+CD1d+) were determined by flow cytometry in splenic single cell suspension; real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the relative mRNA level of IL-10,TGF-β,IL-6 and IFN-γin spleen cells. The effect of DHM on the proliferation of spleen cells was measured by CCK8. DHM (40 μmol/L) was selected to act on the spleen cell suspension for 24 h. flow cytometry was used to detect the ratio of Breg (CD19+CD5+CD1d+). Results Compared with the normal group, DAI and pathological score of DSS group were significantly higher, and the colon length was significantly decreased(P＜0.05); The proportion of CD19+ B cells vs. Breg (CD19+CD5+CD1d+) was significantly decreased, the inflammatory factors were significantly increased, and the anti-inflammatory factors were obviously decreased (P＜0.05). Compared with DSS group, DSS+DHM group and DSS+Mesalazine group significantly reversed the situation (P＜0.05); It was fond in vitro experiment that DHM significantly promoted the proliferation of spleen cells and Breg (P＜0.05). Conclusions DDHM has obvious therapeutic effect in experimental colitis mice, which may be related to the promotion of Breg proliferation and of secretion of anti-inflammatory factors IL-10 and TGF-β.

Background and purpose: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disease characterized by the inflammation of the intestine. The available medicinal treatments for IBD are not efficacious enough since they exert various adverse effects. Therefore, the search for new therapeutic agents should be continued. The present study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of pregabalin on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Experimental approach: Using 2 mL of 3% acetic acid solution, colitis was intra-rectally induced in rats. Animals were randomly divided into 6 groups including the normal group, colitis control group, pregabalin treatment groups (30, 50, and 100 mg/kg; i.p., respectively), and dexamethasone treatment group (1 mg/kg; i.p.). Macroscopic, microscopic, and biochemical (myeloperoxidase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1 beta) examinations were used to evaluate the efficacy of pregabalin in the inflamed colon. Findings/Results: All the applied doses of pregabalin significantly decreased the severity of macroscopic and microscopic colonic damages including ulcer severity, ulcer area, percentage of necrosis, and total colitis index compared to the colitis control group. These results were confirmed by the reduced colonic concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-1 beta, and myeloperoxidase activity. Conclusion and implications: Results of this study indicated that pregabalin administration has beneficial effects upon the treatment of experimental colitis, which might be partly due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

• Macrophages are key immune cells in inflammatory bowel disease. • Alcohol is a widely used solvent in pharmaceutical formulations. • Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk and severity of colitis. • Alcohol promotes macrophage M2b polarization through the TRPV1-MAPK/NF-κB pathways. Macrophages exhibit different phenotypes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and promote inflammation or tissue repair depending on their polarization state. Alcohol is a widely used solvent in pharmaceutical formulations, and its consumption is associated with an increased risk of colitis; however, its effects on macrophages in IBD remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of alcohol on macrophages in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis and understand the underlying mechanisms. DSS-treated C57BL/6 mice were exposed to varying concentrations of alcohol, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) antagonist, and 5-aminosalicylic acid. The distal colon was resected, fixed, stained, and histologically analyzed, through hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunofluorescence staining. Ratio [Ca2+]i measurements, western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, cytokine measurements, and RNA sequencing analyses were also performed. Peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.7 cells were used for in vitro experiments, and various assays were performed to evaluate cellular responses, gene expression, and signaling pathways. Alcohol exacerbated DSS-treated mice colitis and promoted the secretion of various inflammatory cytokines from colonic macrophages. Alcohol enhances the calcium ion influx induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in peritoneal macrophages, while the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine (CPZ) inhibits LPS- and/or alcohol- induced calcium influx in macrophages. Alcohol and LPS activate the MAPK/P38, MAPK/ERK, and NF-κB signaling pathways and induce the macrophage M2b polarization, resulting in the increased expression level of inflammatory cytokines such as Tnf, Il1b, and Il10. Additionally, CPZ can inhibit the facilitatory effects of alcohol or LPS on the abovementioned pathways and inflammatory factors, reversing macrophage M2b polarization and promoting alcohol-induced colitis. The inhibition of nucleotide binding oligomerization domain containing 2 (NOD2) partially suppressed the alcohol and LPS effects on macrophages. Alcohol exacerbates experimental colitis and induces M2b polarization of macrophage via TRPV1-MAPK/NF-κB. Our study provides new insights into the potential therapeutic targets for IBD treatment by elucidating the role of TRPV1 in alcohol-exacerbated colitis, using CPZ as a potential therapeutic option. The identification of transient receptor potential ankyrin subtype 1 (TRPA1) as a therapeutic target expands the scope of future research. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is recognized as a group of chronic inflammatory disorders, localized in the gastrointestinal tract, which does not have a cure known. Indeed, the pharmacological approaches, commonly used, demonstrate significant toxicity, which highlights the need of investigating new possible treatments. Erythropoietin (EPO) is clinically used in anemic patients, with chronic renal insufficiency, due to its erythropoietic effect. However, it has also been described other non-erythropoietic effects, such as an anti-inflammatory role. There is already preclinical evidence about its anti-inflammatory effect in the IBD context, namely in an acute model of colitis in mice. Therefore, it is relevant to ascertain its anti-inflammatory effect in a chronic model, but mainly its hematopoietic side effect, during chronic treatment. Aim: This experiment aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EPO treatment in a chronic 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model in rodents. Methods: The induction of chronic colitis consistedofn five weekly intrarectal administrations of 1% TNBS, and then mice were treated daily with 500 IU/Kg or 1000 IU/Kg of EPO, through intraperitoneal injections, for 14 days. Results: EPO demonstrated a significant anti-inflammatory effect, translated by a significant reduction of the concentration oftumorr necrosis factor-α, fecal calprotectin, and fecal hemoglobin. Moreover, it has also been demonstrated to be safe, considering the cardiovascular system, in terms of extraintestinal manifestations, namely at renal and hepatic functions. Conclusions: EPO demonstrated to be a promising pharmacological approach to be considered in the management of IBD, being an interesting target for drug repositioning.

The pharmacotherapy of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still not fully effective and safe. Attempts to search for new IBD drugs remain an incessant research aim. One of the novel approaches is targeting the developmental pathway molecules and effector cytokines of Th17/Treg axis. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of new pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyridazinone derivatives, compounds 7b, 10b, or 13b, on the course of experimental colitis in rats and to assess whether these new compounds may influence Th17/Treg axis. Rats were pretreated with studied compounds intragastrically before intrarectal administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid used for colitis induction. Body weight loss, disease activity index, colon index, and colon tissue damage were analyzed to evaluate the severity of colitis. The colonic levels of RORγt, STAT3, CCR6, Foxp3, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, IL-23, and PGE2 were assessed. Pretreatment with compounds 7b and 13b alleviated the severity of colitis and concomitantly counteracted the increased levels of RORγt, STAT3, CCR6, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23, TNF-α, and PGE2. The beneficial effect of compounds 7b and 13b may be due to the decrease in the levels of Th17-specific transcription factors and cytokines. The studied compounds might therefore constitute a promising therapeutic strategy in Th17/Treg imbalance-driven inflammatory conditions such as IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The pharmacological blockade of P2X4 receptors has shown potential benefits in the management of several immune/inflammatory diseases. However, data regarding the involvement of P2X4 receptors in the pathophysiological mechanisms of action in intestinal inflammation are not well defined. We aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of two novel and selective P2X4 receptor antagonists, NC-2600 and NP-1815-PX, and characterize the molecular mechanisms of their action in a murine model of 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis. These two drugs and dexamethasone (DEX) were administered orally for 6 days, immediately after the manifestation of DNBS. The body weight decrease, resulting from colitis, was attenuated by NC-2600 and NP-1815-PX, but not DEX. However, all three drugs attenuated the increase in spleen weight and ameliorated macroscopic and microscopic colonic tissue damage. Furthermore, all three compounds decreased tissue IL-1β levels and caspase-1 expression and activity. Colonic tissue increase of tumor necrosis factor was downregulated by DEX, while both NC-2600 and NP-1815-PX were ineffective. The reduction of occludin associated with colitis was ameliorated by NC-2600 and NP-1815-PX, but not DEX. In THP-1 cells, lipopolysaccharide and ATP upregulated IL-1β release and NLRP3, caspase-1, caspase-5, and caspase-8 activity, but not of caspase-4. These changes were prevented by NC-2600 and NP-1815-PX treatment. For the first time, the above findings show that the selective inhibition of P2X4 receptors represents a viable approach to manage bowel inflammation via the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Currently, there is no cure, and pharmacological treatment aims to induce and maintain remission in patients, so it is essential to investigate new possible treatments. Hemin is a heme-oxygenase inducer which can confer anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and antiapoptotic effects; therefore, it can be considered an asset for different gastrointestinal pathologies, namely for IBD. Aim: This experiment aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of hemin, in a chronic 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model in rodents. Methods: The induction of chronic colitis consisted of five weekly intrarectal administrations of 1% TNBS. Then, the mice were treated daily with 5 mg/kg/day or 10 mg/kg/day of hemin, through intraperitoneal injections, for 14 days. Results: Hemin demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect through the reduction in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels, fecal calprotectin, and fecal hemoglobin. It was also found to be safe in terms of extraintestinal manifestations, since hemin did not promote renal and/or hepatic changes. Conclusions: Hemin could become an interesting tool for new possible pharmacological approaches in the management of IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of rectal ozone on the histopathological healing of the colonic mucosa, tissue oxidative stress, and bacterial translocation in the experimental colitis model. Materials and Methods: Three groups of rats were randomly formed [Group 1: Sham group, group 2: Control group, group 3: Ozone treatment group]. Microscopic and macroscopic scoring were done histopathologically in all groups. Glutathione-s-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in the colon and liver tissue. Blood cultures were taken for the detection of bacterial translocation. Results: Microscopic damage scores were found as 0.0 (0.0-2.0) in the sham group, 3.0 (3.0-3.0) in the control group, 2.0 (0.0-2.0) in the ozone treatment group (p=0.001). Macroscopic damage scores were found as 0.0 (0.0-1.0) in the sham group, 3.0 (0.0-4.0) in the control group, 0.0 (0.0-1.0) in the ozone treatment group; the scores of ozone treatment and sham groups were found to be statistically different (p=0.004). Compared to the control group, the bacterial translocation in the liver, mesenteric lymph node, portal vein, spleen, and systemic blood was fewer in the ozone treatment group. Statistically significant differences were also observed between the groups' SOD and GST levels in colon tissue and MDA, SOD, and GST levels in liver tissue. Regarding MDA values in the liver tissue of the groups, it was 1.95±0.43 in Group I, 3.63±0.81 in Group II, and 1.19±0.72 U/mg in Group III (p=0.017). When the liver tissue SOD levels of the groups were examined, it was 8.21±0.76 U/mg in Group I, 4.57±0.58 U/mg in Group II, and 8.62±1.13 U/mg in Group III (p=0.029). When GST values in liver tissue belonging to the groups were examined, 0.35±0.16 in Group 1, 0.23±0.03 in Group II, 0.49±0.13 U/mg in Group III (p=0.036). Conclusion: Rectal ozone application plays a role in increasing the organism's antioxidant activity and has an effective role in increasing the enzyme activities of antioxidant defenses. In addition, rectal ozone application has a positive effect on wound healing at a histopathological level and reduces bacterial translocation in various tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

Background. Previously, we have detected the antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of pyrrole-derived protein kinase inhibitors - MI-1 (1-(4-Cl-benzyl)-3-Cl-4-(CF3-phenylamino) -1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione 1) and D1 (5-amino-4-(1,3-benzothiazole-2-yl)-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrrole-3-one) using rat colon cancer model. Therefore, pyrrole derivatives was aimed at detecting the anti-inflammatory effect on the model of ulcerative colitis caused by acetic acid in rats. Materials and Methods. Prednisolone was used as a reference anti-inflammatory drug of glucocorticoid nature. It was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.7 mg/kg. The compounds were administered in 2 h after the first administration of acetic acid. Total protein was estimated quantitatively, as described by Lowry et al., 1951. Content of the malonic dialdehyde, protein carbonyl groups, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes as indicators of colon mucosa redox status were measured spectrophotometrically. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using MS Excel-2013. Results and Discussion. In case of chronic colitis, the number of carbonyl groups and lipid peroxidation products in the colonic mucosa are increased, indicating the development of oxidative stress. The injection of pyrrole derivatives separately contributes to the approaching these indicators to normal. Adding prednisolone does not have this effect. Colitis has been shown to have a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity, which is a typical phenomenon for chronic inflammation and may indicate depletion of the enzyme. In case of colitis, alanine aminotransferase activity and the content of direct bilirubin are increased, which indicates a liver injury and are systemic manifestations of inflammation of the colon. Pyrrole derivatives help to reduce the liver injury, which indicates the restoration of normal alanine aminotransferase activity and direct bilirubin content. Conclusion. It has been found that at chronic colitis pyrrole derivatives reduce the manifestations of inflammation, contribute to the normal structure of the mucous membrane (comparative to prednisolone as a standard anti-inflammatory drug). It suggests their anti-inflammatory effectiveness, while an increase in total bilirubin under exposition to pyrrole derivatives may be a sign of the adverse effects on the rat’s liver.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported to be associated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Therefore inhibiting inflammasome activation could be a new approach to treat IBD. Inflammasome inhibitors NLRP3-IN-2, JC124, and 3,4-methylenedioxy-β-nitrostyrene (MNS) were previously reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects in various disease models but not in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)–induced colitis model. Here, we showed that MNS was more efficient in inhibiting the secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) by blocking oligomerization of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) than NLRP3-IN-2 and JC124. To investigate the protective effects of MNS on enteritis, we administered intragastric MNS to DSS-induced colitis mice. The results demonstrated that MNS attenuated DSS-induced body weight loss, colon length shortening, and pathological damage. In addition, MNS inhibited the infiltration of macrophages and inflammatory cells and reduced IL-1β and IL-12p40 pro-inflammatory cytokines but had no significant effect on tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-6. Furthermore, we also found that the differentiation of IL-17A+interferon-γ (IFN-γ)+CD4+ T cell was decreased in the colon after MNS treatment, which might be mediated by IL-1β, etc. cytokine release. Taken together, MNS alleviated DSS-induced intestinal inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which may function as an effective therapeutic for IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daikenchuto (DKT) is one of the most widely used Japanese herbal formulae for various gastrointestinal disorders. It consists of Zanthoxylum Fructus (Japanese pepper), Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma (processed ginger), Ginseng radix, and maltose powder. However, the use of DKT in clinical settings is still controversial due to the limited molecular evidence and largely unknown therapeutic effects. Here, we investigated the antiinflammatory actions of DKT in the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model in mice. We observed that DKT remarkably attenuated the severity of experimental colitis while maintaining the members of the symbiotic microbiota such as family Lactobacillaceae and increasing levels of propionate, an immunomodulatory microbial metabolite, in the colon. DKT also protected colonic epithelial integrity by upregulating the fucosyltransferase gene Fut2 and the antimicrobial peptide gene Reg3g. More remarkably, DKT restored the reduced colonic group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s), mainly RORgthigh-ILC3s, in DSS-induced colitis. We further demonstrated that ILC3- deficient mice showed increased mortality during experimental colitis, suggesting that ILC3s play a protective function on colonic inflammation. These findings demonstrate that DKT possesses anti-inflammatory activity, partly via ILC3 function, to maintain the colonic microenvironment. Our study also provides insights into the molecular basis of herbal medicine effects, promotes more profound mechanistic studies towards herbal formulae and contributes to future drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied clinical status, content of products of LPO, and oxidative modification of proteins (OMP) in the lesion focus of the intestine in experimental colitis under conditions of rectal administration of ozone. Experimental colitis was simulated by two-stage administration of oxazolone; rectal insufflation of ozone in the ozone-oxygen mixture was performed daily. The disease activity index (DAI), the content of calprotectin in the feces, and LPO and OMP products in the intestinal homogenate were assessed. On days 2, 4, and 6 of the pathological process, DAI, concentration of calprotectin in feces, content of primary, secondary, and end-products of LPO in the heptane and isopropanol phases, and content of primary and secondary OMP products progressively increases. Under conditions of ozone application, DAI, concentration of calprotectin in feces, the levels of heptane- and isopropanol-soluble primary, secondary, and end-products of LPO, and the level of primary and secondary products of OMP decreased on days 4 and 6; the level of isopropanol-soluble primary, secondary, end-products of LPO increased on day 2 of experimental colitis. The severity of clinical manifestations weakens as the content of LPO and OMP products in the colon decreases on days 4 and 6 of observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucosal inflammation in colitis is associated with changes in the intestinal serotonin (5-HT) level. Sumatriptan, a 5‐HT1B/1D receptor agonist, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory characteristics. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of sumatriptan in a rat model of acute experimental colitis and to elucidate the probable participation of presynaptic 5-HT1B/1D receptors. To induce colitis, acetic acid (4%) was injected intrarectally. Treatments were given intraperitoneally (IP) once daily over 3 consecutive days starting 1-h post-induction. Sumatriptan was given at 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 mg/kg. GR-127935, a 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist, was injected (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) 30 min prior to the most effective dose of sumatriptan (1 mg/kg). On day 4, the colon samples were isolated. Significant enhancements of the tissue tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), myeloperoxidase (MPO), microscopic and macroscopic damages, body weight losses, and also reductions in tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 5-HT were observed in colitis rats. On the other hand, sumatriptan at doses 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg could diminish pathologic changes in the measured biomarkers, histopathologic damages, and body weight losses. Although GR-127935 at dose 0.3 mg/kg could markedly improve the pathologic indexes, its sub-effective dose (0.1 mg/kg) reversed the protective effect of sumatriptan (1 mg/kg). Moreover, sumatriptan (1 and 5 mg/kg) and GR-127935 (0.3 mg/kg) increased the serotonin level. Post-treatment with low-dose sumatriptan demonstrated a protective impact on this peripheral inflammatory condition. Notably, this protective effect may be mediated, at least in part, through 5-HT1B/1D receptors, as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]