CHONDROITIN SULFATE AND GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE AS PROTECTIVE AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENTS IN THE ULCERATIVE COLITIS DSS...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and glucosamine (GlcN) are known for anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in reducing metalloproteinases (MMP) and inflammatory mediators.
• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by intestinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the structure of CS.
• To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and protective effects of CS/GlcN in a rat model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of CS structure and molecular weight.
• Oral administration of CS/GlcN to rats with DSS-induced colitis.
• Assessment of histological scores, goblet cell destruction, nitric oxide (NO) production, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and MMP activity (specifically MMP-9).
• Evaluation of cytotoxicity of CS/GlcN on intestinal epithelial cells.

Main Results:

• CS disaccharide composition was similar to the C4S standard, with a modal molecular weight of 30.4 kDa.
• Oral CS/GlcN administration significantly improved acute colitis severity, reducing histological scores and goblet cell destruction.
• A decrease in NO production, MPO activity, and MMP activity (especially MMP-9) was observed.
• CS/GlcN demonstrated no cytotoxicity in intestinal epithelial cells.

Conclusions:

• CS/GlcN combination therapy effectively reduced intestinal inflammation and protected the intestinal barrier in a rat model of colitis.
• These findings suggest that CS/GlcN may be a beneficial therapeutic option for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).