Background: It has been reported that zinc sulphate contributes an anti-inf
lammatory action in many animal models; however, the impact of zinc in coli
tis remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the role o
f zinc sulphate in experimental colitis.
Methods: Colitis was induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNB) i
n rats. Beginning at the first day of TNB colitis, the rats were treated wi
th a zinc sulphate enema once daily for 6 days. The rats were examined 8 da
ys later.
Results: The TNB induced severe colitis as evidenced by increased mucosal l
esion area, mucosal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and prostaglandin E-2 (P
GE(2)) and leukotriene B-4 (LTB4) levels. Six days after the application of
the zinc sulphate enema, the mucosal lesion area, MPO activity, PGE(2) and
LTB4 levels all decreased significantly. Mucosal superoxide dismutase acti
vity remained unchanged after zinc treatments.
Conclusions: Our data suggest that zinc sulphate enemas have an anti-inflam
matory action on experimental colitis. (C) 1999 Blackwell Science Asia Pty
Ltd.