Co-administration of α-lipoic acid and cyclosporine aggravates colon ulceration of acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis via facilitation of NO/COX-2/miR-210 cascade

Alteration of intestinal mucosal microbiota in mice with Chinese dampness-heat syndrom diarrhea by improper diet combined with high temperature and humidity environments

Background

Environment, diet, and emotion may trigger diarrhea, but the mechanism is unclear. Dietary habits or environmental factors affect the composition of gut microbiota. This study aimed to investigate the effects of improper diet combined with high humidity and temperature (HTH) environment on the intestinal mucosal microbiota.

Materials and methods

Kunming mice were randomly assigned to two equal groups of five mice, namely the control (ccm) group and the model (cmm) group. Diarrhea mice with dampness-heat (DSH) were established by improper diet combined with HTH environments. We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to analyze the characteristics of intestinal mucosal microbiota and the interaction relationship of function.

Results

Our study shows that the intestinal mucosal microbiota of mice changed significantly after an improper diet combined with the HTH environments. The abundance of Fusobacteria and Haemophilus increased dramatically in the cmm group compared to the ccm group (P<0.05). And the abundance of Firmicutes, Lactobacillus, and Lonsdalea was significantly decreased in the cmm group (P<0.05). According to the functional predictive analysis, we found that Lactobacillus showed a significant negative correlation with Protein export, Homologous recombination, Phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan biosynthesis, Citrate cycle, and Lipoic acid metabolism.

Conclusion

Diarrhea with DSH constructed under improper diet and HTH environment may be related to Lactobacillus and Haemophilus. And long-term consumption of improper diet and the HTH environment may affect metabolism.

"Theranekron: A Novel Anti-inflammatory Candidate for Acetic Acid-Induced Colonic Inflammation in Rats"

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized with chronic inflammation of gastrointestinal track. In the pathogenesis of IBD, inflammation is the main mechanism. Induction of inflammation triggers the oxidative stress that subsequently leading to apoptosis. Considering the all pathological mechanisms, many therapeutic agents have been used for IBD but because of serious side effects there is still a need for new therapeutic drugs. In this study, we aim to evaluate the possible protective effects of Theranekron (TH) on acetic acid (AA)- induced colonic damage and to describe the probable effect mechanisms of TH.

MATERIALS AND RESULTS

Fourty female adult Wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups. Following 24 h fasting, colitis was induced by rectal instillation of AA. In TH group, a single dose of subcutaneous 0.2 ml TH was used. In treatment groups, 0.2 ml TH single dose or 100 mg/kg sulfasalazine (SS) for 7 days were used after colitis induction. Normal salin was used for all applications in control group. Histopathologically hemorrhage, edema and inflammatory reactions were seen in AA group. TH and SS decreased the severity of lesions. Nuclear factor kappa B, Serum amyloid A, C-reactive protein, Growth-related oncogene, and Osteopontin expressions were markedly increased in AA group and TH markedly reduced these expressions. In Western analysis, decreased NF-kB and caspase-3 levels were observed with TH. Oxidative markers did not changed significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

TH has a prominent anti-inflammatory effect on AA-induced colonic inflammation via NF-kB signaling whereas antiapoptic effects seem to be independent from this pathway.

An Extracellular Matrix-Liposome Composite, a Novel Extracellular Matrix Delivery System for Accelerated Tissue Regeneration

The unfolded states of fibronectin (FN) subsequently induce the formation of an extracellular matrix (ECM) fibrillar network, which is necessary to generate new substitutive tissues. Here, the authors demonstrate that negatively charged small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) qualify as candidates for FN delivery due to their remarkable effects on the autonomous binding and unfolding of FN, which leads to increased tissue regeneration. In vitro experiments revealed that the FN-SUV complex remarkably increased the attachment, differentiation, and migration of fibroblasts. The potential utilization of this complex in vivo to treat inflammatory colon diseases is also described based on results obtained for ameliorated conditions in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC) that had been treated with the FN-SUV complex. Their findings provide a new ECM-delivery platform for ECM-based therapeutic applications and suggest that properly designed SUVs may be an unprecedented FN-delivery system that is highly effective in treating UC and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Preventing Colitis-Associated Colon Cancer With Antioxidants: A Systematic Review

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients have an increased risk of developing colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC); however, the basis for inflammation-induced genetic damage requisite for neoplasia is unclear. Several studies have shown that IBD patients have signs of increased oxidative damage, which could be a result of genetic and environmental factors such as an excess in oxidant molecules released during chronic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, a failure in antioxidant capacity, or oxidant promoting diets. It has been suggested that chronic oxidative environment in the intestine leads to the DNA lesions that precipitate colon carcinogenesis in IBD patients. Indeed, several preclinical and clinical studies show that different endogenous and exogenous antioxidant molecules are effective at reducing oxidation in the intestine. However, most clinical studies have focused on the short-term effects of antioxidants in IBD patients but not in CAC. This review article examines the role of oxidative DNA damage as a possible precipitating event in CAC in the context of chronic intestinal inflammation and the potential role of exogenous antioxidants to prevent these cancers.

Beyond Heat Stress: Intestinal Integrity Disruption and Mechanism-Based Intervention Strategies

The current climate changes have increased the prevalence and intensity of heat stress (HS) conditions. One of the initial consequences of HS is the impairment of the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity due to hyperthermia and hypoxia following blood repartition, which often results in a leaky gut followed by penetration and transfer of luminal antigens, endotoxins, and pathogenic bacteria. Under extreme conditions, HS may culminate in the onset of “heat stroke”, a potential lethal condition if remaining untreated. HS-induced alterations of the gastrointestinal epithelium, which is associated with a leaky gut, are due to cellular oxidative stress, disruption of intestinal integrity, and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This review summarizes the possible resilience mechanisms based on in vitro and in vivo data and the potential interventions with a group of nutritional supplements, which may increase the resilience to HS-induced intestinal integrity disruption and maintain intestinal homeostasis.

Comparison of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Honey and Spirulina platensis with Sulfasalazine and Mesalazine on Acetic Acid-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats

Background:

Antioxidant therapy has gained attention for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). The excessive generation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species in the gastrointestinal tract increases oxidative stress, thereby leading to antioxidant defense depletion, lipid peroxidation, inflammation, tissue damage, and ulceration. Spirulina platensis (SP) and honey are excellent sources of potent antioxidants such as polyphenols and other bioactive compounds. We aimed to investigate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of honey and SP in comparison with sulfasalazine (SSZ) and mesalazine on acetic acid-induced colitis (AA-colitis) in rats.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty-six Sprague Dawley male rats were allocated to seven groups, with each group comprising eight rats. UC was induced, except in normal controls (NC). All groups received oral treatments for seven days. The normal saline solution of 2 mL was intrarectally administered to the NC group. The AA-colitis and NC groups received 2 mL acetic acid intrarectally as a single dose and 2 mL normal saline for seven consecutive days orally. The mesalazine group received 100 mg/kg mesalazine, the SSZ group 360 mg/kg SSZ, the honey or H group 1 mL honey diluted with 1 mL distilled water, the SH group 1g/kg SP and 1 mL honey, and the SP group 1g/kg SP. After clinical activity score assessment, the rats were sacrificed. Colonic weight/length ratio, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Colonic histopathological changes were observed microscopically.

Results:

Treatment of UC with SP, honey, and combination regimen significantly reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA, MPO, NO, and PGE2, and increased TAC, GSH, GPx, and SOD in interventional groups compared to the AA-colitis group (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

Honey and SP might be beneficial food supplements for medical nutrition therapy in UC.

Effects of alpha lipoic acid and its derivative "andrographolid-lipoic acid-1" on ulcerative colitis: A systematic review with meta-analysis of animal studies

We aimed to review and meta-analyze the inflammatory and oxidative factors following alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and its derivative "andrographolid-lipoic acid-1" (AL-1) in ulcerative colitis (UC). ALA plays an important role in scavenging intracellular radicals and inflammatory elements. AL-1 is found in herbal medicines with potent anti-inflammatory properties. Data were collected from the Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Evidence-based medicine/clinical trials, and Cochrane library database until 2017, which finally resulted in 22 animal studies (70 rats and 162 mice). The beneficial effects of ALA or AL-1 on the most important parameters of UC were reviewed; also, studies were considered separately in mice and rats. Administration of ALA and AL-1 significantly reduced the tumor necrosis factor-α level compared with the controls, while data were not noteworthy in the meta-analysis (mean differences = -18.57 [95% CI = -42.65 to 5.51], P = 0.13). In spite of insignificant decrease in meta-analysis outcomes (differences = 6.92 [95% CI = -39.33 to 53.16], P = 0.77), a significant reduction in myeloperoxidase activity was shown following ALA or AL-1 treatment compared with the controls. Despite significant differences in each study, we had to exclude some studies to homogenize data for meta-analyzing as they showed insignificant results. Interleukin 6, cyclooxygenase-2, glutathione, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, histopathological score, macroscopic and microscopic scores, disease activity index, body weight change, and colon length were also reviewed. Most studies have emphasized on significant positive effects of ALA and AL-1. Comprehensive clinical trials are obligatory to determine the precious position of ALA or AL-1 in the management of UC.

Validated UPLC-MS/MS method for the quantification of dasatinib in plasma: Application to pharmacokinetic interaction studies with nutraceuticals in Wistar rats

Dasatinib (DAS) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and in the management of ulcerative colitis (UC). Since some nutraceuticals (e.g. curcumin, olive oil, and cocoa extract) could alter the function of ABC transporters and /or CYP450 enzymes, DAS bioavailability could potentially be affected following their co-administration. This work aims at studying the possibility of PK interaction between DAS and the selected nutraceuticals in UC rats using UPLC- MS/MS. Chromatographic analysis was carried out using BEH C 18 column (Waters) with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 50% aqueous methanol, 65:35, v/v, each with 0.1% formic acid and using erlotinib (ERL) as an internal standard (IS). DAS quantitation was carried out using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with positive ionization of the transitions at m/z 488.03 > 400.92 (DAS), and m/z 394.29 > 278.19 (ERL). Method validation was assessed as per the FDA guidelines for bioanalytical methods for DAS determination within the concentration range 1–500 ng/mL. No significant effect on the oral bioavailability of DAS was reported with any of the studied nutraceuticals. Thus, the concomitant administration of these nutraceuticals with DAS could be considered safe with a necessity to perform more detailed clinical investigations.

Role of MiRNAs in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), mainly including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite improvements in detection, drug treatment and surgery, the pathogenesis of IBD has not been clarified. A number of miRNAs have been found to be involved in the initiation, development and progression of IBD, and they may have the potential to be used as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Here, we have summarized the recent advances about the roles of miRNAs in IBD and analyzed the contribution of miRNAs to general diagnosis, differential diagnosis and activity judgment of IBD. Furthermore, we have also elaborated the promising role of miRNAs in IBD-related cancer prevention and prognosis prediction.

The influence of lipoic acid on caveolin-1-regulated antioxidative enzymes in the mouse model of acute ulcerative colitis

AIM

This study was undertaken to verify if two-weeks treatment of lipoic acid (LA) influence colon damage and pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis during DSS-induced acute colitis. Moreover, as LA has anti-oxidative properties, we analyzed its influence on the level of antioxidative enzymes, HO-1 and eNOS, and their regulator- caveolin-1.

METHODS

LA was administrated to male C57/BALBc mice at a dose of 25 or 50mg/kg/day (i.p.) for 21days. Acute colitis was induced by administration of 4% DSS (w/v) in drinking water for 5days, followed by 2days of normal drinking water. Mice in LA+DSS groups were treated with LA (25 or 50mg/kg/day; i.p.) starting 14days prior to 4% DSS. Control group received saline for 21days. In the colon tissue we measured myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-23 (ELISA method), and tissue level of cav-1, phospho-eNOS, total eNOS and HO-1 (Western blot).

RESULTS

Administration of DSS significantly increased total colon damage (p<0.001), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (p<0.05) and pro-inflammatory IL-6 (p<0.05). There was also a tendency towards higher IL-1β, IL-17A, and IL-23 in the colon. LA alone did not influence total colon damage, MPO activity, and pro-inflammatory cytokines concentration compared to control (p<0.05). Notably, mice treated with LA and DSS had significantly decreased total colon damage score (p<0.001), despite augmented colon MPO activity (p<0.01), but similar (IL-17A) or even significantly higher level (IL-1β, IL-23) as compared to the DSS group (p<0.05). IL-6 was insignificantly decreased after LA treatment at a dose of 50mg/kg. In acute colitis there was a tendency towards an increase in cav-1 and HO-1 and a decrease p-eNOS/total eNOS ratio. Moreover, the LA+DSS groups had higher expression of HO-1 and p-eNOS/total eNOS (p<0.05) compared to the DSS group, and a tendency towards higher cav-1 level. The changes did not depend on LA dose.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicated that LA, at lower doses, may influence cav-1-regulated antioxidative enzyme levels (HO-1 and p-eNOS/total eNOS) despite an increase in colon pro-inflammatory cytokine levels during acute colitis. Hence, LA treatment may be - to some extent - beneficial in attenuation of acute colitis.