ISSN:
1365-2036
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background: Methimazole, an anti-thyroid drug, was recently found to be useful in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases. Moreover, decreased thyroid hormone production is associated with a variety of immunological manifestations, such as reduced activation of CD4+ cells, increased CD8+ cell activity and reduced soluble IL-2 receptors. In the present study we examined the effects of methimazole and propylthiouracil on a rat model of experimental colitis. Methods: Colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of 30 mg trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNB). Two weeks prior to induction of colitis, rats were treated by either methimaziole (0.04%) or propylthiouracil (0.01%) in drinking water after a week of free access to water. Rats were sacrificed 48 h or 7 days after induction of colitis. The colon was isolated, rinsed with ice-cold water and weighed. Damage was assessed both macroscopically and microscopically and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity determined. Results: All treated rats were hypothyroid as manifested by a significant elevation of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), by comparison with the control groups (mean -1.82±0.40 versus 0.11±0.02 mmol/L, respectively). The inflammatory response elicited by TNB resulted in severe mucosal damage 48 h after damage induction, which persisted for 7 days. Pre-treatment with either methimazole 0.04% or propylthiouracil 0.01% significantly decreased mucosal damage macroscopically (lesion area, lesion score and segmental weight) microscopically and also significantly decreased MPO level at both time points (P〈0.01). Conclusions: Methimazole and propylthiouracil significantly reduce mucosal damage and colonic weight in a rat model of colitis. The mode by which they do so remains to be studied.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2036.1997.127299000.x
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