title: The role of zinc and metallothionein in the dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mouse model.
abstract: Zinc (Zn) and its binding protein metallothionein (MT) have been proposed to suppress the disease activity in ulcerative colitis. To determine the role of Zn and MT in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced model of colitis in mice, a DSS dose-response study was conducted in male C57BL/6 wild-type (MT+/+) and MT-null (MT-/-) mice by supplementing 2%, 3%, and 4% DSS in the drinking water for 6 days. In the intervention study, colitis was induced with 2% DSS, Zn (24 mg/ml as ZnO) was gavaged (0.1 ml) daily, concurrent with DSS administration, and the disease activity index (DAI) was scored daily. Histology, MT levels, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were determined. DAI was increased (P<0.05) by 16% and 21% with 3% and 4% concentrations of DSS, respectively, compared to 2%, evident after 5 days of DSS administration. MPO activity was increased in MT+/+ compared to MT-/- mice and those receiving DSS. Zn administration had a 50% (P<0.05) lower DAI compared to DSS alone. Zn partially prevented the distal colon of MT+/+ by 47% from DSS-induced damage compared to MT-/- mice. MT did not prevent DSS-induced colitis and Zn was partially effective in amelioration of DSS-induced colitis.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Unit, Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia. cuong.tran@cywhs.sa.gov.au
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sundar
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coyle
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Howarth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015032:Zinc / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010952:Plasma Substitutes; D014131:Trace Elements; D008668:Metallothionein; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D009195:Peroxidase; D015032:Zinc