title: Fucoidin prevents Clostridium difficile toxin-A-induced ileal enteritis in mice.
abstract: Recent reports suggest increased incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile-associated diseases. These facts have raised the need for additional clarification of pathogenesis and for a search for new therapeutic strategies. This study evaluated the effects of the polysaccharide fucoidin, an L-selectin blocker, on toxin-A-induced mouse enteritis. Fucoidin (25 mg/kg) or saline (0.1 ml) were injected systemically (ocular plexus) 5 min prior to local challenge with toxin A (5 microg/ileal loop) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Intestinal fluid volume/length and ileal loop weight/length ratios were calculated 3 h later. Ileal tissues were collected for histopathology and measurement of myeloperoxidase and adenosine deaminase activity. Fucoidin significantly (P < 0.05) prevented the toxin-A-induced increase in weight/length and volume/length ratios and reduced mucosal disruption, as shown in histopathology. Fucoidin also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced toxin-A-induced myeloperoxidase and adenosine deaminase activities. In conclusion, fucoidin reduces tissue injury and inflammation in toxin-A-induced mouse enteritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Delmiro de Farias, sn, Fortaleza, CE CEP 60.416-030, Brazil.
authors.forename: A R F
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Barreto
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Cavalcante
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: A F T A
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Junqueira
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Vale
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: M H L P
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: G A C
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Brito
mesh_terms: D000243:Adenosine Deaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007079:Ileitis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000627:therapeutic use*