University of Perugia

About: University of Perugia is a education organization based out in Perugia, Umbria, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 13365 authors who have published 39516 publications receiving 1265601 citations. The organization is also known as: Universitá degli Studi di Perugia & Universita degli Studi di Perugia.

Enhanced activity of a hydrogen sulphide-releasing derivative of mesalamine (ATB-429) in a mouse model of colitis.

Abstract: Background and Purpose: Mesalamine is the first-line therapy for colitis, but it lacks potency and is only effective for mild-to-moderate forms of this disease. Hydrogen sulphide has been shown to be a potent, endogenous anti-inflammatory substance, modulating leukocyte-endothelial adhesion and leukocyte migration. The purpose of this study was to determine if an H2S-releasing derivative of mesalamine (ATB-429) would exhibit increased potency and effectiveness in a mouse model of colitis. Experimental Approach: Colitis was induced in mice with trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid and the effects of ATB-429 and mesalamine were compared in several treatment regimens. The severity of colitis was determined using several indices, including a disease activity score (comprised of scores for diarrhea, weight loss and fecal blood), colonic myeloperoxidase activity and macroscopic/microscopic scoring of tissue injury. Key Results: Irrespective of the treatment regiment, ATB-429 was more effective than mesalamine in reducing the severity of colitis. ATB-429 was particularly effective in reducing granulocyte infiltration into the colonic tissue (by ∼70%), as well as reducing the expression of mRNA for several key proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines (e.g., TNFα, IFNγ). Treatment with ADT-OH, the H2S-releasing moiety of ATB-429, did not affect severity of colitis. Conclusions and Implications: ATB-429 exhibits a marked increase in anti-inflammatory activity and potency in a murine model of colitis, as compared to mesalamine. These results are consistent with recently described anti-inflammatory effects of H2S. ATB-429 may represent an attractive alternative to mesalamine for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 996–1002. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707193