title: Oral prednisolone metasulphobenzoate in the treatment of active ulcerative colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Corticosteroids are one of the mainstays of treatment for active ulcerative colitis, but they are associated with numerous side effects. The sparingly absorbed corticosteroid prednisolone metasulphobenzoate is used topically in the treatment of distal disease. A targeted-release oral preparation (Predocol) has been developed to allow delivery of this drug to the whole colon. We have studied the effect of oral Predocol on inflammation as measured by 99Tc(m)-HMPAO leucocyte scintigraphy in patients with symptomatic and sigmoidoscopic relapse of known extensive ulcerative colitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen patients were recruited and received Predocol 47.1 mg twice daily, 8 for 7 days and 6 for 14 days. Scintigraphy was performed prior to and at the end of treatment. Each segment of colon was graded (0-4) and individual scores summed to give a total scintigraphic score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total scintigraphic score improved by a mean of 2.5 (P = 0.027). Mean individual scores improved in the rectum by 0.7 (P = 0.038) and in the descending colon by 0.8 (P = 0.033).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Predocol is an oral preparation of a poorly absorbed salt of prednisolone that is effective in reducing inflammation over short treatment periods in patients with active ulcerative colitis.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Gastroenterology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: E A B
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: J A H
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Binnie
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Balan
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Skerratt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Swift
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Solanki
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Middleton
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; C013218:prednisolone 21-3-sulfobenzoate; D011239:Prednisolone