Possible role of free radicals in the chronic inflammation of the gut.

Recent studies have demonstrated that intracolonic administration of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNB) dissolved in ethanol produces chronic colitis in rats, and that this model shares many features of human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease. We investigated the role of free radicals in the pathogenesis of this colitis model. In the early stage of this colitis, antioxidant enzymes (such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) and an antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol, were significantly decreased with the severity of colonic damage. Mn-SOD at a dose of 50000 U/kg attenuated this colitis when preadministered subcutaneously one hour before the induction of colitis. These results suggest that oxygen-derived free radicals may play an important role in this colitis.