Polaprezinc (N-(3-aminopropionyl)-L-histidinato zinc) ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Polaprezinc (N-(3-Aminopropionyl)-L-histidinato zinc), an anti-ulcer drug, has been reported to have an anti-inflammatory action in several inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of polaprezinc on dextran sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mice with colitis induced by DSS were intrarectally treated with polaprezinc (15 mg/kg) or zinc sulfate (7.5 mg/kg) every day after the administration of DSS for 7 days. Disease activity index (DAI) and histological tissue damage were assessed. Levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma in the colon were measured. Expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 25 and HSP70 in the colon was analyzed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: DAI and histological scores were remarkably reduced in polaprezinc-treated mice with DSS-induced colitis. Polaprezinc suppressed the increase of MPO activity and the production of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in the colon tissues of mice with DSS-induced colitis. Expression of HSP25 and HSP70 was remarkably up-regulated in the colon tissues of polaprezinc-treated mice during DSS treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Polaprezinc suppresses DSS-induced colitis in mice, partly through inhibition of production of pro-inflammatory cytokine, suppression of neutrophils accumulation and cytoprotection by overexpression of HSPs. Polaprezinc could be useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.