ANTIOXIDANTS INHIBIT THE IN-VITRO PRODUCTION OF INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES IN CROHNS-DISEASE AND ULCERATIVE-COLITIS

Background Modulation of cytokine secretion may be of interest in the treatment of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Methods The effect of three antioxidants - butylated hydroxyanisol, tetrahydropapaveroli ne and nordihydroguaiaretic acid - on the production of tumour necrosi s factor (TNF), interleukin (IL) 1, IL-6 and IL-8 (measured by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay) by peripheral mononuclear cells and biopsi es of inflamed colonic mucosa from inflammatory bowel disease patients were studied. Results We observed a decrease in IL-1 and IL-6 product ion by peripheral mononuclear cells from inflammatory bowel disease pa tients (approximately 50% of control). The three drugs did not decreas e IL-6 and IL-8 secretion by colonic biopsies, whereas they did inhibi t IL-1 and, to some degree, TNF production. The cytokine-inhibitory ef fect of antioxidants seems to be more pronounced in ulcerative colitis than in Crohn's disease. Conclusion Our results suggest that the stud ied antioxidants, or related compounds, may be of interest in inflamma tory bowel disease treatment.