IMPAIRMENT OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN COLONIC EPITHELIAL-CELLS ISOLATED FROM TRINITROBENZENE SULFONIC ACID-INDUCED COLITIS RATS - PROTECTIVE EFFECTOF REBAMIPIDE

Background: The functional status of glutathione, its related enzymes, and Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase in colonocytes isolated from rats with trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid-induced colitis, and the effect of reb amipide (a scavenger) on these antioxidants and on colitis, were studi ed. Methods: The rats were treated with rebamipide, killed on day 14, and compared with controls. Glutathione and enzymatic activities were spectrophotometrically estimated. The effect of rebamipide on colitis was also assessed histologically and by myeloperoxidase activity. Resu lts: In controls the concentration of glutathione and the activities o f glutathione S-transferase and Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase were decrea sed, but that of glutathione peroxidase was increased. Rebamipide prev ented the impairment of these enzymes, restored the concentration of g lutathione, and attenuated (low damage scores and myeloperoxidase acti vity) the severity of the colitis. Conclusions: These features suggest that the impairment of antioxidants is closely related to the develop ment of the inflammatory lesions, and rebamipide has a beneficial effe ct on experimental colitis.