Effect if bucillamine on the rat trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid induced model of colitis

Abstract

Salicylazosulphapyridine and corticosteroids are the only remedies for inflammatory bowel disease currently in clinical use. They do not, however, necessarily bring about satisfactory therapeutic benefits, so that new agents are needed. In this study, we evaluated the effect of bucillamine, a new antirheumatic agent, in experimental rat colitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid enema. Wistar rats were given vehicle alone (n = 16) or treated with 50 (n = 20) or 150 (n = 20) mg/kg of bucillamine daily for three weeks after induction of colitis. Conventional histological sections of the colon stained by haematoxylin and eosin were prepared and observed under a light microscope to determine colonic damage scores. The determinations were significantly lower in the group treated with 50 mg/kg of bucillamine and tended to be lower in the group treated with 150 mg/kg of bucillamine than in the untreated group, which implied that the experimentally induced colonic inflammatory changes and ulcerations were alleviated by bucillamine. Blood tests showed no abnormal values at the end of the treatment. The present observations suggest that bucillamine should be developed further as a possible therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.

Down‐regulation by Bucillamine of Lamina Propria Leucocytes in the Rat Colitis Model

“…The administration of bucillamine retrieved the reduction of bodyweight gain and improved gross morphological damage of the colon induced by TNB, which confirms the results of our previous study. 7 However, phenotypical changes of infiltrating leucocytes in inflamed rat colon could not be identified by conventional haematoxylin and eosin staining of the colon. 7 In the present study, we further examined phenotypical expressions of infiltrating cells by using immunohistological methods and found alterations in helper/inducer subsets of T cells, expression of adhesion molecules, IL‐2 receptor and class II MHC in colitic rats treated by oral bucillamine.…”

“… 7 However, phenotypical changes of infiltrating leucocytes in inflamed rat colon could not be identified by conventional haematoxylin and eosin staining of the colon. 7 In the present study, we further examined phenotypical expressions of infiltrating cells by using immunohistological methods and found alterations in helper/inducer subsets of T cells, expression of adhesion molecules, IL‐2 receptor and class II MHC in colitic rats treated by oral bucillamine. These effects may be partially due to the inhibition of helper/inducer T cell infiltration rather than affecting suppressor/cytotoxic T cells.…”

“… 11 Corticosteroids and 5‐aminosaliycylate derivatives are the major potent medications for IBD; however, novel efficacious medication is required. Bucillamine has been shown to be beneficial for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and we have reported the efficacy of bucillamine in the carrageenan‐induced rabbit colitis model 6 and the TNB‐induced rat colitis model 7 as determined by conventional histological studies.…”

“… 2–4 At a pharmacologically attainable concentration, bucillamine strongly suppresses B cell function. 5 We have recently found bucillamine to be effective in a model of colitis in rabbits 6 and rats 7 assessed by conventional histological methods. In the present study, we report on the efficacy of bucillamine in a rat model of colitis induced by hapten.…”