title: Thermal spring water drinking attenuates dextran-sulfate-sodium-induced colitis in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study investigates the effect of oral consumption of hydrogen sulfide-containing Harkány thermal spring water, as well as sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) solution on experimental colitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Colitis was induced by 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in the drinking water of C57BL/6 mice for 7 days. Some animal groups drank Harkány thermal spring water or water supplemented with 21.68 mg/L NaHS. General signs of colitis, myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity of colon samples, histological features of colitis and function of the enteric nervous system were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oral administration of Harkány thermal spring water significantly attenuated general signs of colitis, MPO enzyme activity of colon samples and detrimental effect of colitis on the function of the enteric nervous system, but not histological signs of colitis. These findings could be reproduced using NaHS solution with additional significantly diminished histological damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that oral treatment with Harkány thermal spring water relieves various aspects of DSS-evoked colitis in mice. This effect is most likely to be mediated by hydrogen sulfide content of the Harkány water. Our data might promote complementary utilization of sulfurous thermal spring water in the therapy of inflammatory bowel disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Pécs, Szigeti u. 12, Pécs, 7624, Hungary, gabor.pozsgai@aok.pte.hu.
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pozsgai
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benkó
authors.forename: Loránd
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barthó
authors.forename: Katalin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Horváth
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pintér
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000633:toxicity*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D045482:Hot Springs; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013440:Sulfides / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D013440:Sulfides; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; C025451:sodium bisulfide