title: Mesalazine inhibits activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB in inflamed mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The salicylate mesalazine is commonly used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, yet its precise mechanism of action is unknown. Because transcription factor NF-kappaB plays an important role in inflammatory bowel diseases, we investigated the effects of mesalazine therapy on NF-kappaB activation in patients with ulcerative colitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 20 patients with moderately active ulcerative colitis received mesalazine for 8 wk. Biopsies were taken before and after drug administration and analyzed for NF-kappaB activation using an antibody specific for active NF-kappaB.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In biopsies of active ulcerative colitis but not in noninflamed mucosa, activation of NF-kappaB was detected predominantly in macrophages. Mesalazine therapy resulted, in a strong abrogation of NF-kappaB activation in situ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that the therapeutic properties of mesalazine rely at least in part on the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation, resulting in the suppression of proinflammatory gene expression in the inflamed mucosa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine B, Medical Clinics, University of Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bantel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vieth
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stolte
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kruis
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schulze-Osthoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D019804:Mesalamine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016328:NF-kappa B; D019804:Mesalamine