Abstract
Objective. Polaprezinc (N-(3-Aminopropionyl)-L-histidinato zinc), an anti-ulcer drug, has been reported to have an anti-inflammatory action in several inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of polaprezinc on dextran sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Material and methods. Mice with colitis induced by DSS were intrarectally treated with polaprezinc (15 mg/kg) or zinc sulfate (7.5 mg/kg) every day after the administration of DSS for 7 days. Disease activity index (DAI) and histological tissue damage were assessed. Levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ in the colon were measured. Expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 25 and HSP70 in the colon was analyzed by Western blot analysis. Results. DAI and histological scores were remarkably reduced in polaprezinc-treated mice with DSS-induced colitis. Polaprezinc suppressed the increase of MPO activity and the production of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the colon tissues of mice with DSS-induced colitis. Expression of HSP25 and HSP70 was remarkably up-regulated in the colon tissues of polaprezinc-treated mice during DSS treatment. Conclusions. Polaprezinc suppresses DSS-induced colitis in mice, partly through inhibition of production of pro-inflammatory cytokine, suppression of neutrophils accumulation and cytoprotection by overexpression of HSPs. Polaprezinc could be useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.