Downregulation of CPT1A exerts a protective effect in dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis partially by inhibiting PPARα signaling pathway

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that may progress to colorectal cancer in severe cases. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1A (CPT1A) has been reported to be upregulated in colorectal cancer. This paper aims to explore the role of CPT1A in UC and its pathogenesis. An in vivo mice model of UC was constructed by administrating 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The expression level of CPT1A was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The intestinal damage, inflammatory response and oxidative stress were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, colon length, and commercial kits. Thereafter, an in vitro cell model of UC was established by stimulating HT-29 cells with 2% DSS. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) signaling agonist GW7647 was used for treatment. Cell viability and apoptosis was assayed by cell counting kit-8 assay and terminal dUTP nick-end labeling assay, respectively. The inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress-related factors was evaluated using corresponding commercial detection kits. In DSS-induced mice model of UC, CPT1A expression was upregulated. Interference of CPT1A attenuated histological damage, the disease activity index and colon length in colitis. We also found downregulation of CPT1A inhibited inflammatory response and oxidative stress, and inhibited PPARα signaling pathway in UC mice. Additionally, in DSS-induced HT-29 cells, downregulation of CPT1A promoted cell viability, reduced cell apoptosis, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress, which was partly abolished by additional treatment with GW7647. In summary, downregulation of CPT1A exerts a protective effect in DSS-induced UC partially through suppressing PPARα signaling, suggesting that CPT1A might be a potential target for the treatment of UC.