Butyrate, mesalamine, and factor XIII in experimental colitis in the rat: effects on transglutaminase activity.
OBJECTIVE
Butyrate and factor XIII may improve ulcerative colitis; they also affect tissue and serum transglutaminase levels. We investigated the therapeutic potential of sodium butyrate and factor XIII and the role of transglutaminase during mucosal repair in experimental colitis.


METHODS
Rats with induced colitis were treated with sodium butyrate, mesalamine, sodium butyrate plus mesalamine, or saline enemas. Thromboxane B2 was monitored as index of inflammation. In a fifth group, the effectiveness of intravenous Factor XIII was assessed.


RESULTS
Sodium butyrate, alone or plus mesalamine, reduced histological activity from 13.7 +/- 1.7 (saline) to 2.5 +/- 1.3 and 2.3 +/- 1.1 (P < 0.01), respectively. Transglutaminase, reduced in the colons of the saline group (783 +/- 157 vs. normal 1800 +/- 192 mU/g; P < 0.01), returned toward normal values in the sodium butyrate or sodium butyrate plus mesalamine groups (1390 +/- 228 and 1226 +/- 172 mU/g, respectively; P < 0.01 vs. saline). Furthermore, sodium butyrate plus mesalamine reduced thromboxane B2 levels by day 5 (0.92 +/- 0.16 vs. saline 1.85 +/- 0.34 ng/mL; P < 0.05). Factor XIII therapy improved the histological picture (2.7 +/- 2.1 vs. saline 13.8 +/- 1.7; P < 0.01) and increased transglutaminase levels both in serum (2.81 +/- 0.11 vs. saline 1.45 +/- 0.09 mU/mL; P < 0.01) and in colon (1503 +/- 127 vs. saline 747 +/- 103).


CONCLUSIONS
Sodium butyrate and factor XIII improve colitis, sodium butyrate plus mesalamine reduce early thromboxane B2 synthesis, and transglutaminase(s) plays a role in ulcer healing.
D'Argenio
G
G
Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
Cosenza
V
V
Sorrentini
I
I
De Ritis
F
F
Gatto
A
A
Delle Cave
M
M
D'Armiento
F P
FP
Mazzacca
G
G
D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002087:Butyrates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020148:Butyric Acid; D003092:Colitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D005176:Factor XIII / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D019804:Mesalamine; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000378:metabolism*
D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids; D002087:Butyrates; D020148:Butyric Acid; D019804:Mesalamine; D013929:Thromboxane B2; D005176:Factor XIII; D011503:Transglutaminases