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Inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase augments trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid colitis in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an interferon gamma-induced intracellular enzyme, inhibits lymphocyte proliferation through tryptophan degradation. IDO is highly expressed in the mammalian intestine. We sought to determine whether IDO played a regulatory role in the T-cell helper 1 (Th1)-mediated trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) model of colitis. METHODS: Intrarectal TNBS was given to SJL/J mice along with either placebo or a specific IDO inhibitor. IDO protein and mRNA expression were assessed by Western blotting and real-time PCR. Colonic lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMNCs) were isolated, fractionated, and cultured, in the presence and absence of IFN-gamma, to determine the cell type(s) expressing IDO. RESULTS: IDO is expressed by professional antigen-presenting cells in the lamina propria. Induction of TNBS colitis resulted in a significant increase in IDO mRNA (P = 0.005) and protein expression. IDO inhibition during TNBS colitis resulted in an 80% mortality compared with 10% for placebo-treated animals (P = 0.0089). IDO inhibition resulted in a more severe colitis both histologically and morphologically (P < 0.05) and significantly increased colonic proinflammatory cytokine expression compared with placebo-treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: IDO is expressed in the normal colon and is up-regulated in the setting of TNBS colitis. Inhibition of IDO during TNBS colitis resulted in increased mortality and an augmentation of the normal inflammatory response. These findings suggest that IDO plays an important role in the down-regulation of Th1 responses within the gastrointestinal tract.

Animals↗

Colon epithelial cellular protein induces oral tolerance in the experimental model of colitis by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.

Rectal administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) produces chronic colitis in experimental animals. However, the role of epithelial cellular protein(s) in this model is unknown. We examined whether oral tolerance can be induced in this model with colon epithelial cell proteins and whether it is organ specific. Rats were fed five times with extracts of LS-180 human colon cancer cells or HT 1080 human fibroblast cells. Syngeneic normal rat colon or small intestinal extracts were fed to separate groups of rats. After oral feedings, each rat received TNBS by enema. Rats were killed 15 days later, and the following were measured: gross and histologic disease score, weight, thickness, and myeloperoxidase values of colon and serum interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) levels. Rectal TNBS alone produced severe colitis with a 26% mortality rate. Rats fed LS-180 or rat colon extract before TNBS enema were protected, as evidenced by reductions in mortality rate, disease scores, and myeloperoxidase values. However, rats fed HT 1080 or small intestine extract lacked such protection. To examine the possible mechanism of the oral tolerance, T lymphocytes from mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen of LS-180 extract-fed rats were passively transferred to naive rats, and this was followed by TNBS enema. These rats showed clear protection. Protected animals had low IFN-gamma and high TGF-beta levels. This study demonstrates that cellular protein(s) from human colon epithelial cells, but not from human fibroblasts, can induce oral tolerance in experimental colitis. This oral tolerance is mediated by primed mesenteric and splenic T lymphocytes.

Administration, Oral↗

NCX-1015, a nitric-oxide derivative of prednisolone, enhances regulatory T cells in the lamina propria and protects against 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in mice.

NCX-1015 is a nitric oxide (NO)-releasing derivative of prednisolone. In this study we show NCX-1015 protects mice against the S. A. development and induces healing of T helper cell type 1-mediated experimental colitis induced by intrarectal administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). The beneficial effect of NCX-1015 was reflected in increased survival rates, improvement of macroscopic and histologic scores, a decrease in the mucosal content of T helper cell type 1 cytokines (protein and mRNA), and diminished myeloperoxidase activity in the colon. In contrast to its NO derivative, only very high doses of prednisolone were effective in reproducing these beneficial effects. NCX-1015 was 10- to 20-fold more potent than the parent compound in inhibiting IFN-gamma secretion by lamina propria mononuclear cells. Protection against developing colitis correlated with inhibition of nuclear translocation of p65Rel A in these cells. In vivo treatment with NCX-1015 potently stimulated IL-10 production, suggesting that the NO steroid induces a regulatory subset of T cells that negatively modulates intestinal inflammation.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Colonic responses to Lactobacillus farciminis treatment in trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid-induced colitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: It has recently been shown that Lactobacillus farciminis treatment exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis partly through a nitric oxide release by this strain. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether L. farciminis treatment shares also the general mechanisms of action involved in the beneficial effect of probiotics in the colonic inflammatory process. METHODS: Rats received L. farciminis for 15 days before and 4 days after intracolonic administration of TNBS or vehicle. The following parameters were evaluated: macroscopic damage of colonic mucosa, myeloperoxidase activity, cytokine mucosal levels, bacterial profile in colonic content and mucosa, bacterial translocation and colonic paracellular permeability. RESULTS: In the absence of TNBS, L. farciminis treatment reduced colonic paracellular permeability and increased the IL-10 level in the colonic wall. TNBS administration induced colonic macroscopic damage, associated with an increase of myeloperoxidase activity, bacterial translocation, colonic paracellular permeability and IL-1beta mucosal level, and a decrease in IL-10 mucosal level. Moreover, the bacterial profile of colonic content and mucosa was modified. All these alterations were abolished or significantly reduced by L. farciminis treatment. CONCLUSIONS: As previously shown, L. farciminis treatment improves TNBS-induced colitis. This study indicates that, in addition to the nitric oxide released by this bacterial strain, the anti-inflammatory action of L. farciminis involves also normalization of colonic microflora, prevention of bacterial translocation, enhancement of barrier integrity and a decrease in the IL-1beta mucosal level.

Animals↗

Immunological tolerance to a hapten. I. Induction and maintenance of tolerance to trinitrophenyl with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.

Treatment of mice with a nonimmunogenic preparation of free reactive hapten, trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), leads to the induction of a state of tolerance to the hapten, 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (TNP). This is determined by the lack of response to the haptenic moiety in an immunogenic hapten-carrier conjugate (TNP-SRBC) as assayed both by serum antibody titrations and the hemolytic plaque assay. The tolerance produced is specific for the hapten, since the anticarrier responses are essentially unaltered compared with the control values. The unresponsiveness induced by TNBS treatment is a dose-dependent phenomenon, becoming less complete at lower doses of TNBS. The tolerance is of a definite length, both in its induction phase and in the duration of the established unresponsive state. Tolerance can be maintained and extended, and may also be reentered once escape has been initiated.

Animals↗

H-2-linked genetic control of murine T-cell-mediated lympholysis to autologous cells modified with low concentrations of trinitrobenzene sulfonate.

Spleen cells from B10.BR and C57BL/10 (B10) mice were compared for their ability to generate primary in vitro cytotoxic responses to syngeneic cells modified with different concentrations (from 10 to 0.031 mM) of trinitrobenzene sulfonate (TNBS) (TNP-self). Although both strains generated effector cells to TNP-self in the range of 10-0.25 mM TNBS modification, effector activity of B10 cells was weaker than that of B10.BR cells. B10 spleen cells did not respond to syngeneic stimulating cells modified at 0.1 mM or lower, whereas B10.BR cells generated effector activity even when stimulated by TNP-self modified with as low as 0.031 mM TNBS. Fluorescence analysis of the modified cells using the FACS II indicated that equivalent quantities of TNP were conjugated to the surfaces of B10.BR and B10 spleen cells for any given concentration of TNBS modification. Similar strain-dependent differences were observed when the TNP was diluted out in the cultures by reducing the number of stimulating cells modified with 10 mM TNBS. These response patterns were verified by stimulating cultures of B10.BR and B10 spleen cells either with TNP conjugated to bovine serum albumin or bovine gamma globulin (B10.BR but not B10 cells responded to TNP-conjugated proteins) or with TNBS-modified glass-adherent spleen cells. The strain-dependent differences could also be detected at the effector phase, because optimally stimulated B10.BR, but not B10 effector cells, could lyse 0.1 mM TNBS-modified syngeneic target cells. The genetic parameters associated with the response and nonresponse patterns of B10.BR and B10 mice were further investigated by comparing the cytotoxic responses to low doses of TNP-self of spleen cells from the following strains: (a) C3H/HeJ (H-2k) and C3H.SW (H-2b); (b) BALB.K (H-2k) and BALb.b (h-2b); and (c) B10.A (H-2a) and B10.D2 (H-2d). The H-2k and H-2a, but not the H-2b and H-2d, strains generated cytotoxic responses to TNP-self when the syngeneic stimulators were modified with 0.1 mM TNBS. Further studies using (B10 X B10.BR)F1 responding cells and parental or F1-modified stimulating cells, indicated that the F1 cells generated cytotoxic activity to low doses of TNP in association with H-2k but not in association with H-2b self products. The results of this study indicate that H-2-linked genetic factors, expressed in the target as well as in the responding and/or stimulating cell populations, control the ability of inbred mouse strains to generate cytotoxic effector cells to low doses of TNP-self. Such dose-dependent genetic effects may be important in the regulation of immune responses activated in vivo by chronic exposure to infectious agents.

Animals↗

An antigen-specific signal is required for the activation of second-order suppressor T cells in the regulation of delayed-type hypersensitivity to 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.

Suppressor T cells (Ts-1) induced with trinitrophenyl (TNP)-conjugated syngeneic spleen cells (TNP-SC) can be enriched on antigen-coated plates and are afferent suppressors. In addition, these suppressor cells produced soluble suppressor factors (TsF) that were active in vivo. Therefore, the Ts-1 cells in the TNP system are very similar to the Ts-1 cells in other systems we have studied earlier. Further characterization of these TsF-1 revealed that TsF-1 obtained from TNP-SC-induced Ts-1 is major histocompatibility complex restricted in its activity. Injection of TNP-specific TsF-1 into naive mice did not induce Ts-2 unless additional corresponding antigen was provided. Moreover, the Ts-2 cells induced by administration of both TsF-1 and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid were antigen specific rather than antiidiotypic.

Animals↗

Treatment of experimental (Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid) colitis by intranasal administration of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 plasmid: TGF-beta1-mediated suppression of T helper cell type 1 response occurs by interleukin (IL)-10 induction and IL-12 receptor beta2 chain downregulation.

In this study, we show that a single intranasal dose of a plasmid encoding active transforming growth factor beta1 (pCMV-TGF-beta1) prevents the development of T helper cell type 1 (Th1)-mediated experimental colitis induced by the haptenating reagent, 2,4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). In addition, such plasmid administration abrogates TNBS colitis after it has been established, whereas, in contrast, intraperitoneal administration of rTGF-beta1 protein does not have this effect. Intranasal pCMV-TGF-beta1 administration leads to the expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA in the intestinal lamina propria and spleen for 2 wk, as well as the appearance of TGF-beta1-producing T cells and macrophages in these tissues, and is not associated with the appearances of fibrosis. These cells cause marked suppression of interleukin (IL)-12 and interferon (IFN)-gamma production and enhancement of IL-10 production; in addition, they inhibit IL-12 receptor beta2 (IL-12Rbeta2) chain expression. Coadministration of anti-IL-10 at the time of pCMV-TGF-beta1 administration prevents the enhancement of IL-10 production and reverses the suppression of IL-12 but not IFN-gamma secretion. However, anti-IL-10 leads to increased tumor necrosis factor alpha production, especially in established colitis. Taken together, these studies show that TGF-beta1 inhibition of a Th1-mediated colitis is due to: (a) suppression of IL-12 secretion by IL-10 induction and (b) inhibition of IL-12 signaling via downregulation of IL-12Rbeta2 chain expression. In addition, TGF-beta1 may also have an inhibitory effect on IFN-gamma transcription.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Changes in reactivities of scallop adductor myosin with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoate) and with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonate accompanying dissociation and association of regulatory light chain.

1. The reactivities of scallop myosin with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoate) (DTNB) and with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonate (TNBS) were found to be affected by dissociation and association of regulatory light chains (RLC) of myosin. 2. Approximately 4 mol of sulfhydryl groups of "desensitized" myosin (DM) were masked on association of DM with RLC. When these sulfhydryl groups were reacted with DTNB, the modified DM became incapable of associating with RLC, but when the modified DM was treated with 2-mercaptoethanol, the ability to associate with RLC was fully recovered. 3. The DTNB-reactivity of scallop myosin and its RLC content were measured as a function of calcium and magnesium concentrations. The results thus obtained could be explained in terms of our previous suggestion (J. Biochem. 94, 1061 (1983] that there are two different attachments between DM and RLC. 4. The relation between the TNBS-reactivity and the RLC content was not simple but complex. Not the extent, but the rate of trinitrophenylation of scallop myosin was affected by dissociation and association of DM with RLC; thus, the involved TNBS-reactive lysine residues did not seem to be in the regions on DM and RLC that would be physically covered upon DM-RLC association. 5. The amount of the involved lysine residues was estimated to be only 1 mol per mol of myosin. Modification of the specific lysine residues resulted in a partial decrease in the DM-RLC association.

Animals↗

Trinitrophenylation of rabbit skeletal myosin by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonate and treatment of trinitrophenyl myosin with dithiothreitol.

Rabbit skeletal myosin was trinitrophenylated with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonate (TNBS) in the presence or absence of inorganic pyrophosphate (PP1). When myosin trinitrophenylated either in the presence or absence of PP1 was treated with dithiothreitol (DTT), the absorbance at 345 nm of both trinitrophenylated myosins was decreased, as though the trinitrophenyl groups bound to myosin were removed. The DTT treatment also essentially reversed the inhibition of the EDTA-ATPase and Ca-ATPase activities that was caused by trinitrophenylation of myosin. These effects of trinitrophenylation and of DTT treatment were independent of the presence or absence of PP1 during the trinitrophenylation. In contrast, the PP1-induced formation of a difference spectrum of trinitrophenylated myosin was not affected by the DTT treatment. On the basis of these observations, it is suggested that the "reactive lysine residues," trinitrophenylation of which resulted in inhibition of the ATPase activities, are different from those whose trinitrophenyl groups show an altered spectrum on addition of PP1.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Induction of chronic pancreatic disease by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid infusion into rat pancreatic ducts.

Despite being a common disease in humans, little is known about the etiopathogenesis of and effective therapeutic approaches to chronic pancreatitis, due mainly to the fact that few simple animal models suitable to study inflammatory and fibrogenetic processes have been described in the pancreas. Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) induces chronic colitis and cholangitis in the rat. We hypothesized that TNBS instillation into the pancreatic ducts could also result in the development of a chronic pancreatic disease. The biliopancreatic duct of rats was cannulated and tied close to the liver. TNBS [0.4 ml of 2% TNBS in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-10% ethanol, pH 8] was infused into the pancreas under a continuous controlled-pressure system. Control rats underwent the same procedure using vehicle only. Pathology assessment of TNBS-treated rats examined at 48 h was consistent with severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis, having a morality rate of 31% and serum amylase activity of 37.4 +/- 8.8 U/ml at 24 h and 13.3 +/- 1.7 U/ml at 48 h (p < 0.01 for both time points compared to PBS/ethanol-treated rats). Groups of 10 rats each were killed at 3, 4, and 6 week after the surgical procedure. Morphological examination revealed changes mimicking features of chronic pancreatitis in humans in 80% (32 of 40) of TNBS-treated rats, consisting in various degrees of periductal and lobular fibrosis, duct stenosis, patchy acute and chronic inflammatory cell infiltrates, and signs of gland atrophy. Animals developing chronic disease had a weight gain rate significantly lower than that of control rats. Serum amylase, fasting glucose, and a glucose tolerance test were not different in diseased or control rats. In conclusion, we were able to induce chronic fibrogenetic inflammatory disease in the pancreas after a single pulse instillation of TNBS into the pancreatic ducts. This might be a useful animal model to study the pathophysiology of inflammatory, fibrogenetic, and reparative processes in pancreatic tissue.

Amylases↗

Therapeutic effect of the immunomodulator glatiramer acetate on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced experimental colitis.

Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by detrimental immune reactivity in the gut and imbalance between proinflammatory and antiinflammatory reactivity. In an attempt to downregulate inflammatory bowel disease, we tested whether the immunomodulator glatiramer acetate (GA; Copaxone, copolymer 1), an approved drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, can ameliorate trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis, a murine model that resembles human Crohn's disease. Experimental colitis was induced by rectal instillation of TNBS in 3 mice strains: BALB/c, SJL/J, and (SJL/JXBALB/c)F1, and its severity was evaluated by gross colon injury, histologic damage, body weight, and survival rate. We studied the effect of GA on all these parameters as well as on lymphocyte reactivity manifested by proliferation and secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and transforming growth factor-beta. GA treatment significantly suppressed the various manifestations of TNBS-induced colitis as demonstrated by substantial reduction in the macroscopic colonic damage, preservation of the microscopic colonic structure, reduced weight loss, and improved long-term survival, in GA treated mice compared with untreated mice. The parenteral route was more effective than the oral route. GA suppressed the proliferation of local mesenteric lymphocytes to syngeneic colon extract and the detrimental tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion. In addition, it induced a beneficial secretion of transforming growth factor-beta. The ability of GA to effectively modulate the clinical manifestations and the detrimental immune response involved in experimental colitis warrants further studies to determine the clinical efficacy of GA in the treatment of human inflammatory bowel diseases.

Animals↗

Hepatocyte growth factor facilitates the repair of large colonic ulcers in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) modulates intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and migration, serving as a critical regulator of intestinal wound healing. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of administration of recombinant human HGF on colonic mucosal damage in vivo. METHODS: Rats were given 7.5 mg of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) per rectum on day 0. On day 5, the degree of TNBS-induced colitis was evaluated endoscopically, and rats suffering from large ulcers (occupying more than two thirds of the luminal circumference) were treated with intravenous bolus injections of recombinant human HGF (1.0 mg/kg per day) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 5 days. RESULTS: Rats with TNBS-induced colitis given human HGF showed a significant reduction in colonic ulcer coverage and large intestinal shortening compared with those treated with PBS. Administration of recombinant human HGF also stimulated the proliferation of epithelial cells and reduced the inflammatory cell infiltrate. Finally, HGF treatment decreased the myeloperoxidase activity and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels in the TNBS-inflamed colon tissues. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that intravenous injection of HGF accelerates colonic mucosal repair and reduces infiltration of inflammatory cells in rats with TNBS-induced colitis and suggest that HGF has the potential to be a new therapeutic modality to promote intestinal mucosal repair in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Animals↗

cis- and trans-2-(4-tert-Butylcyclohexyloxy)-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene.

The structures of cis- and trans-2-(4-tert-butylcyclohexyloxy)-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, C(16)H(21)N(3)O(7), (I) and (II), respectively, were determined at low temperature in order to obtain accurate structural parameters for comparison purposes. The C(alkyl)-O(ether) bond distances are 1.497(2) and 1.491(2)A for (I) and (II), respectively.

Journal Article↗

Mechanism and prevention of chronic colonic inflammation with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid in rats.

1. The role of prostanoids in experimental colitis with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in rats was investigated. The effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) on the development of experimental colitis were also examined. 2. Five kinds of prostanoids were detected in rat colonic tissue by high performance liquid chromatography. These were 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F1 alpha, PGF2 alpha, PGE2, PGD2 and thromboxane B2. 3. In TNBS-induced experimental colitis, all prostanoid concentrations except PGD2 increased, although the time courses differed from each other. 4. Medication with indomethacin markedly reduced prostanoid concentrations in TNBS-induced colitis. However, indomethacin did not show any effect on damage scores. 5. Cyclosporine A reduced damage scores 14 days after TNBS treatment, and the protective effects were observed, whereas CsA did not affect colonic tissue prostanoid concentrations. 6. Prostanoids might be produced secondarily in the genesis of TNBS-induced colitis, although they may attenuate the inflammatory response. It was also suggested that CsA was likely to have therapeutic effects on experimental colitis by inhibiting the immune reaction with TNBS, which induced the chronic inflammation.

Animals↗

Effects and mechanism of the selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, on rat colitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the action of celecoxib (a selective COX-2 inhibitor) in a rat model of colitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). METHODS: Rats were randomized into four groups. Colitis was induced in groups 1 and 2 by intracolonic administration of TNBS (25 mg/mL) in 50% ethanol (0.25 mL). The rats in group 1 received oral celecoxib (1.25 mg/kg) and those in group 2 received distilled water (1 mL/0.3 kg), beginning 3 h before induction of colitis and continuing twice daily thereafter for up to 7 days. The rats in group 4 received oral celecoxib (1.25 mg/kg) twice daily for 7 days and those in group 3 were healthy controls. All rats that survived 7 days were killed and both the severity of colonic mucosal damage and the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations of the colonic mucosa were assessed. RESULTS: The colonic mucosal damage scores for groups 1 and 2 were 11.15 +/- 3.30 and 8.50 +/- 2.82, respectively, both of which were significantly higher than the score for the healthy controls (0.62 +/- 0.09; P < 0.01, P < 0.01). The score of group 1 was significantly higher than that of group 2 (P < 0.05). No difference was found between the scores of groups 3 and 4. The mucosal concentrations of PGE2 in groups 1 and 2 were 12.00 +/- 4.33 pg/microg and 17.20 +/- 9.62 pg/microg, respectively, both of which were significantly higher than the concentration in the healthy controls (6.02 +/- 3.39 pg/microg; P < 0.05, both). The PGE2 concentration of group 1 was decreased significantly compared with that of group 2 (P < 0.05). No difference was found between groups 3 and 4. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that treatment with celecoxib exacerbates inflammation-associated colonic injury in experimental colitis induced by TNBS. This preliminary study shows that the mechanism is related to suppression by the COX-2 inhibitor of the PG derived from COX-2, but further study is needed to identify if there are other related mechanisms.

Animals↗

Curcumin regulated shift from Th1 to Th2 in trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid-induced chronic colitis.

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effects of curcumin (Cur) on trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis and the effects of Cur on the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines. METHODS: Colitis was induced by TNBS and treated with Cur (30 mg/kg/d, ip), dexamethasone (Dex, 2 mg/kg/d), or Cur plus dexamethasone (Cur+Dex, 30 mg/kg/d Cur ip+2 mg/kg/d Dex,ip). mRNA in colon mucosa were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Intracellular cytokines were detected by flow cytometry and concentrations of cytokines in sera were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent analysis. RESULTS: Both Cur and Dex improved body weight loss, ameliorated histological images and decreased macroscopic score and myeloperoxidase activity. Cur decreased the expression of Th1 cytokines (IL-12, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-1) and increased the expression of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) in colon mucosa. Cur also increased the proportion of IFN-gamma/IL-4 in splenocytes and circulation. Dex and Cur+Dex decreased the expression of Th1 cytokines but could not increase the expression of Th2 cytokines and the proportion of IFN-gamma/IL-4. CONCLUSION: Cur exerted therapeutic effects on colitis by regulating the shift from Th1 to Th2.

Animals↗

Chemical modification of sodium channel surface charges in frog skeletal muscle by trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid.

1. We have investigated the effects of externally applied trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) on sodium currents of voltage-clamped frog skeletal muscle fibres. TNBS is a membrane-impermeant reagent which reacts specifically with amino groups under physiological conditions. 2. TNBS shifts the voltage dependence of steady-state sodium current inactivation (h infinity) by approximately 18 mV to more hyperpolarized potentials when measured at pH 9. This effect of TNBS is irreversible, suggesting that the reagent permanently modifies some membrane component(s). 3. Time constants for the development of and recovery from inactivation of sodium current are similarly shifted to more hyperpolarized potentials by TNBS treatment. External TNBS did not affect the completeness of sodium current inactivation during depolarizing pulses. 4. The activation of sodium current is less affected by TNBS than is inactivation. The voltage dependence of peak sodium current activation was shifted by only approximately 4 mV by TNBS treatment at pH 9. The kinetics of sodium current activation during depolarization were little affected by TNBS. 5. The TNBS-induced shift in h infinity and sodium current activation are independent of pH when measured at pHs between 7.4 and 11. 6. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that TNBS increases the negative surface charge of the membrane by reacting with membrane amino groups having a high pK.

Animals↗