title: Sodium 4-phenylbutyrate suppresses the development of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice.
abstract: Sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. In the present study, the effects of PBA on a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis were investigated. The therapeutic efficacy of PBA (150 mg/kg body weight) in DSS-induced colitis was assessed based on the disease activity index (DAI), colon length, the production of inflammatory cytokines and histopathological examination. The results showed an increase in the median survival time in the PBA-treated group compared with that of the untreated DSS control group. DAI scores were lower in the PBA-treated group than in the DSS control group during the 12 days of the experiment. Additionally, PBA treatment inhibited shortening of the colon and the production of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and IL-6, which were measured in the colonic lavage fluids. Histopathological examination of the DSS control group showed diffused clusters of chronic inflammatory cells infiltrating the lamina propria, partial exfoliation of the surface epithelium and decreased numbers of mature goblet cells. By contrast, in the PBA-treated group the histopathological findings were the same as those of the normal healthy controls. These results suggest that PBA strongly prevents DSS-induced colitis by suppressing the mechanisms involved in its pathogenesis.
authors: Department of Immunological and Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.
authors: Kazuhiko
authors: K
authors: Ono
authors: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Nimura
authors: Department of Immunological and Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.
authors: Takuya
authors: T
authors: Nishinakagawa
authors: Department of Immunological and Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.
authors: Yuko
authors: Y
authors: Hideshima
authors: Department of Immunological and Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.
authors: Munechika
authors: M
authors: Enjyoji
authors: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.
authors: Kazuki
authors: K
authors: Nabeshima
authors: Department of Immunological and Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.
authors: Manabu
authors: M
authors: Nakashima
keywords: dextran sulfate sodium; inflammatory bowel disease; phenylbutyrate