Wew. Roediger et A. Duncan, 5-ASA DECREASES COLONIC SULFIDE FORMATION - IMPLICATIONS FOR ULCERATIVE-COLITIS, Medical science research, 24(1), 1996, pp. 27-29
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.