BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ischemic colitis is a vascular condition of inadequate blood flow in the colon which leads to colonic inflammation and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress is an early initiating event in ischemia and reperfusion injury. Heme oxygenase (HO) is considered to be an antioxidant enzyme that catabolizes heme to carbon monoxide, free iron and biliverdin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression patterns of HO-1, inducible form of HO, in ischemic colitis. METHODS: We analyzed the twelve cases of clinically and pathologically diagnosed ischemic colitis without surgical intervention compared with normal colon (n=10) and psedomembranous colitis (n=5). Immunohistochemical stainings for HO-1 were performed in paraffin-embedded tissues. RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 56 to 84 years (mean: 67 years) in ischemic colitis. Eight patients (66.7%) were female. The most common presenting symptom was bloody stool (66.7%) and rectosigmoid area (91.7%) of the large intestine was the most common ischemic site. Expression of HO-1 in ischemic colitis was high in contrast to normal colonic mucosa or psedomembranous colitis. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic colitis usually involves the rectosigmoid area in elderly female patients with a history of bloody stool. High expression of HO-1 in ischemic colitis may be responsible for a protective mechanism to ischemia or heme injury.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colitis, Ischemic/*enzymology ; Colon/*enzymology ; Female ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)/*metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intestinal Mucosa/*enzymology ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Inflammation-induced alterations in smooth muscle contractility may be due to the effects on smooth muscle itself, neurotransmitters or enteric nerves. In dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitic rat, the delay in colonic transit was caused by decreased activity and production of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the myenteric plexus of the distal colon. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the delay in colonic transit and the distribution of inducible NOS (iNOS) and nNOS immunoreactive cells in the myenteric plexus of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitic guinea pig. METHODS: Sacrificed and their colonic tissues of forty-five TNBS-induced colitic guinea pigs were used to measure the colonic transit, and analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Colonic transit was delayed significantly at 3, 7 and 14 days after administration of TNBS. In control, nNOS immunoreactivity was present in the mucosa, submucosa, lamina propria, and ganglion cells of the myenteric plexus, while after TNBS treatment, reduced nNOS cells were found. However, the number of nNOS ganglion cells in the myenteric plexus was similar to those seen in controls. After administration of TNBS, iNOS immunoreactivity was increased in the mucosa and submucosa, but the number of iNOS positive ganglion cells in the myenteric plexus was not changed compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that in TNBS-induced guinea pig colitis, delayed colonic transit is not associated with the expression of nNOS nor iNOS in the myenteric plexus.
Animals ; Colitis/chemically induced/enzymology/*physiopathology ; Colon/*enzymology/innervation ; English Abstract ; *Gastrointestinal Transit ; Guinea Pigs ; Male ; Myenteric Plexus/*enzymology ; Nitric-Oxide Synthase/*metabolism ; Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid

In order to investigate the relationship between the expression of heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) mRNA and the pathogenesis of Hirschsprung's disease (HD), total ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted in the aganglionic and ganglionic segments of colon respectively from 15 cases of HD. The single-stranded cDNA of HO-2 was synthesized and further amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of HO-2 mRNA was normal in ganglionic segments, but absent in aganglionic segments. It is concluded that the absence of HO-2 mRNA expression may be an important mechanism responsible for HD.
Colon/enzymology ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)/biosynthesis ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)/*genetics ; Hirschsprung Disease/*enzymology ; Hirschsprung Disease/etiology ; Hirschsprung Disease/genetics ; RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis ; RNA, Messenger/genetics

In order to investigate the relationship between the expression of heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) mRNA and the pathogenesis of Hirschsprung's disease (HD), total ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted in the aganglionic and ganglionic segments of colon respectively from 15 cases of HD. The single-stranded cDNA of HO-2 was synthesized and further amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of HO-2 mRNA was normal in ganglionic segments, but absent in aganglionic segments. It is concluded that the absence of HO-2 mRNA expression may be an important mechanism responsible for HD.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Colon ; enzymology ; Female ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hirschsprung Disease ; enzymology ; etiology ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo examine the efficacy of Muscovite on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats, and to research the mechanisms of intestinal mucosal protection.

METHODUlcerative colitis was induced in rats by intracolonic injection of 2 mL of 7% acetic acid. Rats were treated with three different doses of the Muscovite and SASP at random by intracolonic injecion, the normal saline was considered as control group. The rats were sacrificed and the colons were excised and opened longitudinally. Under a dissecting microscope, gross findings were observed and scored. MPO activity was assayed by spectrophotometry in colonic mucosa.

RESULTGross finding showed that multiple ulcer with diameter more than 1 cm, surrounded with erosion, erythematous and edema in the proximal colon in ulcerative coltis. The colon from Muscovite treatment group were histopatholgically normal, with slight erosion, erythematous and edema. The colon in SASP group had small ulceration and severe erosion and edema. The score of gloss change were significant lower in Muscovite groups than that in normal saline group (P < 0.01). There were necrosis and exfoliation of mucosa, multiple cystic dilation of mucosa gland, and large number of and inflammation attenuated in Muscovite groups. There nerutrophils and vessel infiltration in ulcerative colitis. The ulceration disappeared were erosion in mucosa and inflammatory cell infiltrating into submucosa in SASP group. Compared with normal saline group, the pathological scale were significant decreased in Muscovite and SASP groups (P < 0.05). The MPO activity was significant increased in colitis tissue compared with normal group (P < 0.001). After administrating with Muscovite or SASP, the level of MPO were significant decreased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMuscovite has the effect of mucosal protection by attenuating the inflammation of colonic mucosa and decreasing the activity of MPO.

Acetic Acid ; Aluminum Silicates ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; pathology ; Colon ; enzymology ; pathology ; Intestinal Mucosa ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of acupuncture on promoting the restoration of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs).

METHODSThirty SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group and an acupuncture group, ten rats in each one. The rats in the model group and acupuncture group were treated with colonic anastomosis to establish the model. After successful establishment of the model, the rats in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) and "Taichong" (LR 3) for 15 min, once a day for 10 days. Rats in the model group and blank group were put into the fixator for 15 min at the same time daily. The propulsive rate of small intestine was measured in each group. Colonic tissues were collected to detect c-kit expression by using immunohistochemistry. The nitricoxide (NO) content was measured by nitrate reductase method and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was measured by method of L-arginine.

RESULTSCompared with the blank group, the propulsive rate of small intestine in the model group was decreased; NO content was increased; iNOS activity was elevated; cNOS activity was declined; total NOS (tNOS) activity was increased and the counting of c-kit positive ICCs was decreased (all P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the propulsive rate of small intestine in the acupuncture group was increased; NO content was decreased; iNOS activity was reduced; cNOS activity was elevated; NOS activity was decreased and the counting of c-kit positive ICCs was increased (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can regulate NO content and NOS activity in postoperative restoration environment of ICCs, which may participate in the process of acupuncture promoting the restoration of ICCs.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Animals ; Colon ; metabolism ; surgery ; Colonic Diseases ; enzymology ; metabolism ; surgery ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Interstitial Cells of Cajal ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVEIn vitro enzymatic degradation of carboxymethy konjac glucomannan (CMKGM) were studied to evaluate the feasibility of CMKGM used as carrier materials to prepare colon-specific drug delivery systems.

METHODThe solutions with rat gastrointestinal tract (GIT) contents or with commercial enzymes were chosen to stimulate in vivo GIT environment, respectively. Enzymatic degradation of CMKGM were studied by viscometic procedure. Degradation kinetics of CMKGM and konjac glucomannan (KGM) by enzymes, the effects of the degree of substitution (DS) of CMKGM and the pH of solution on its susceptibility to degradation were investigated.

RESULTCMKGM were degraded mainly in the simulated cecal and colonic media, but not in the simulated gastric and enteric media. Degradation of KGM and CMKGM by enzymes obeyed Michaelis-Menton kinetics. CMKGM with lower DS were more susceptible substrates. CMKGM were more susceptible substrates in solution with pH 6. 0-6. 8.

CONCLUSIONCMKGM had colon-specific enzymatic degradation characteristics and could be used as carrier materials to prepare colon-specific drug delivery systems.

Amorphophallus ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cecum ; enzymology ; Colon ; enzymology ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Kinetics ; Mannans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; beta-Mannosidase ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional intestinal diseases, but its pathogenesis is still unknown. The present study aimed to screen the differentially expressed proteins in the mucosa of colon between IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) patients and the healthy controls. METHODS: Forty-two IBS-D patients meeting the Rome III diagnostic criteria and 40 control subjects from July 2007 to June 2009 in Chinese PLA General Hospital were enrolled in the present study. We examined the protein expression profiles in mucosa of colon corresponding to IBS-D patients (n = 5) and controls (n = 5) using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry (MS). Secondly, Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis were carried out to validate the screened proteins in 27 IBS-D patients and 27 controls. Thirdly, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was further carried out to determine ATP concentration in the mucosa of colon between 10 IBS-D patients and 8 controls. Comparisons between 2 groups were performed by Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Twelve differentially expressed proteins were screened out. The α-enolase (ENOA) in the sigmoid colon (0.917 ± 0.007 vs. 1.310 ± 0.100, t = 2.643, P = 0.017) and caecum (0.765 ± 0.060 vs. 1.212 ± 0.122, t = 2.225, P = 0.023), Isobutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (ACAD8) in the sigmoid colon (1.127 ± 0.201 vs. 1.497 ± 0.392, t = 7.093, P = 0.008) of the IBS-D group were significantly lower while acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (CT) in the caecum (2.453 ± 0.422 vs. 0.931 ± 0.652, t = 8.363, P = 0.015) and ATP synthase subunit d (ATP5H) in the sigmoid (0.843 ± 0.042 vs. 0.631 ± 0.042, t = 8.613,P = 0.007) of the IBS-D group was significantly higher, compared with the controls. The ATP concentration in the mucosa of the sigmoid colon in IBS-D group was significantly lower than that of control group (0.470 [0.180, 1.360] vs. 5.350 [2.230, 7.900], U = 55, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Many proteins related to energy metabolism presented differential expression patterns in the mucosa of colon of the IBS-D patients. The abnormalities in energy metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of IBS which deserves more studies to elucidate.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Adult ; Blotting, Western ; Colon ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diarrhea ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Energy Metabolism ; genetics ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intestinal Mucosa ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Middle Aged ; Proteome ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of Tanguticum Maxim polysaccharide (TMP-1) on TNBS-induced colitis in rats.

METHODRats with TNBS/ethanol-induced colitis were used and treated with TMP-1 and dexamethasone (DX). Seventy-two rats, including animals with TNBS-induced colitis, were treated with saline, TMP-1 (100, 200, 400 mg.kg-1) and DX. White blood cells were counted on the fifth day and the rats were killed by ether on the sixth day. SOD activity in serum, MPO and SOD activity of colonic tissue were measured.

RESULTThe remarkable effects of TMP-1 at dosage of 200, 400 mg.kg-1 on TNBS-induced colitis were observed. The ulcerative area was diminished and weight of colon was reduced. White blood cell population was reduced, SOD activity in serum and SOD activity of colon tissue were remarkably increased, and, MPO activity of colonic tissue was reduced.

CONCLUSIONTMP-1 has significant effects on TNBS-induced colitis in rats with lower side effects, which suggests the effective component of rhubarb on colitis perhaps is TMP. The mechanism of the actions of TMP may relate to its antiflammation, antioxidation and immunoloregulation.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Colon ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid

OBJECTIVETo investigate the difference and causes of purgative activity in three species of certified rhubarb, so as to lay steady foundations of further research on assessing purgative activity impersonally by using measurable indexes.

METHODThe potencies of three species were comparied with purgative ED, of mice as quantitative index which were calculated, and activities of Na+ K + -ATP ase in mouse colonic epithelial cell membrane were also investigated . The related purgative contents (conjunct and free rhein, chrysophanol, chrysophanic acid, sennoside A) were detected by HPLC and contents (total anthraquinones, anthraglucosennin; conjunct and free anthraquinones) were detected by UV.

RESULTThere were different purgative activities among three spieces of certified rhubarb. Each purgative ED, of mice was Rheum tanguticum ( ED50 = 0. 37 g x kg (-1)) , R. officinale ( ED50 = 0. 99 g x kg(-1) ) and R. palrnatum from Gansu (ED50 = 1. 83 g x kg(-1)) , the ratio of potency of those was 4. 94: 1. 85: 1. In the meanwhile, the difference of the inhibitory effect on Na+ -K + -ATP ase in mouse colonic epithelial cell membrane and relative purgative components also existed in the three species of certified rhubarb.

CONCLUSIONIt disclosed that there was notable diference of purgative activity and components among three spieces of certified Rhubarb, which probably resulted in the ultimate diference in clinical prescription and the production of Chinese patent medicines.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; analysis ; Cathartics ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Membrane ; drug effects ; enzymology ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Colon ; cytology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Rheum ; chemistry ; classification ; Senna Extract ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; Species Specificity