BENEFICIAL EFFECT OF MDL-73404 IN DEXTRAN SULFATE-MEDIATED MURINE COLITIS

We show here that MDL 73404, a water soluble analog of alpha-tocophero l, provides protective and healing effects in dextran sulfate sodium-m ediated colitis in mice. MDL 73404, showed significant dose response a t all levels of the disease. The maximum effective dose was 10 mg/kg/d ay, p.o. and the ED(50) dose was 1.75 mg/kg/day, p.o. (mean). Histolog y showed remarkable prevention or healing depending upon the protocol. In all protocols, MDL 73404 was significantly better than olsalazine (150 mg/kg/day, p.o.). MDL 73404 also inhibited PGE(2), 6-keto-PGF(1al pha), TXB(2), and LTB(4). These results suggest that MDL 73404 provide s protective and healing effects in this model.