FREE-RADICALS IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND THERAPEUTIC IMPLICATIONS

Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by the accumulation of g ranulocytes and monocytes/macrophages at the site of inflammation. Act ivation of these cells leads to the release of degradative enzymes, e. g. proteinases and glycosidases, and the production of reactive oxygen metabolites. This has been shown both in animal models of experimenta l intestinal injury, and in human inflammatory bowel disease. Scavengi ng of oxygen radicals protected tissue from damage in experimental inf lammation models. Human studies with specific oxygen radical scavenger s are rare, preliminary results appear promising. The fact that the am inosalicylates used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease are potent antioxidants underscores the important role of reactive oxygen metabolites in this setting.