Yusuke Hori*, Jiro Hoshino, Chihiro Yamazaki, Tomoko Sekiguchi, Satoshi
Miyauchi and Katuyuki Horie
Tokyo Research Institute, Seikagaku Corporation, 3-1253 Tateno, Higashiyamato,
Tokyo 207-0021, Japan
*Corresponding author. FAX: +81-42-563-5847
E-mail: hori@seikagaku.co.jp
Abstract: Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is currently marketed as a therapeutic
drug for neurodynia, lumbago and arthrodynia. Recently, many clinical studies
have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of orally administered CS against
diseases with inflammation. Furthermore, these reports suggest CS plays
an important role in the protection of the base of ulcers and has anti-inflammatory
activity. We investigated the effects of CS against dextran sulfate sodium
(DSS)-induced rat colitis. Rats were given 3% DSS solution for 10 days ad
libitum. CS and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) were orally administered daily.
The doses of the CS groups were 20 or 100 mg/kg and that for the 5-ASA group
was 100 mg/kg. Evaluations were made of bloody stools, areas of erosion
and hematological data. CS improved the symptoms of bloody stools, erosion
and increase of white blood cells. Especially, CS (100 mg/kg) group showed
markedly more improvement than the 5-ASA group. We think that the major
mechanism of the therapeutic effects of CS are the prevention of tissue
damage by the protection of digestive mucosa and anti-inflammatory effects.
Therefore, CS may have therapeutic value for alimentary tract diseases such
as inflammatory bowel disease or ulcer.
Keywords: Chondroitin sulfate, Anti-inflammation, Alimentary tract diseases,
Dextran sulfate, Colitis
[Back to TOC]