5-ASA DECREASES COLONIC SULFIDE FORMATION - IMPLICATIONS FOR ULCERATIVE-COLITIS

Experimental evidence suggests that anionic sulfide (SH-) may be impli cated in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Sulfides are formed i n the colon by sulfate-reducing bacteria acting on sulfate or sulfur a mino acids. Experiments were designed to test whether the most useful drug for ulcerative colitis, 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) or salicyla zosulfapyridine (SASP) could suppress sulfide formation from sulfur am ino acids by anaerobic bacteria grown in batch culture. Neither 5-ASA or SASP altered acetate formation, a universal indicator of fermentati on. Both agents very significantly reduced sulfide formation by anaero bic bacteria of the human colon grown in batch culture. Such an action of 5-ASA/SASP may reduce the injurious action of sulfide on the colon ic epithelial cell barrier of the colon and help to prevent attacks of colitis.