Waiting for the Cure

ISSN 1007-9327 CN 14-1219/R World J Gastroenterol  2010 February 14; 16(6): 703-712

Schistosoma mansoni proteins attenuate gastrointestinal motility disturbances during experimental colitis in mice

http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/16/703.asp

Injecting worm proteins  into mice given colitis resulted in decreased gastric motility (less bowel movements) and amelioration of inflammation.  Pretty good stuff.  This means that worm proteins will eventually be the next Prednisone, and the live worm won’t be necessary.  I wonder how often we would have to take them?  Will they be a shot, a pill, or an enema?  Can we get out of the mice model into some human studies before those with IBD lose their colons in waiting?

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Schisto­soma mansoni (S. mansoni) soluble worm proteins on gastrointestinal motility disturbances during experi­mental colitis in mice.

METHODS: Colitis was induced by intrarectal injection of trinitrobenzene sulphate (TNBS) and 6 h later, mice were treated ip with S. mansoni proteins. Experiments were performed 5 d after TNBS injection. Inflammation was quantified using validated inflammation parameters. Gastric emptying and geometric center were measured to assess in vivo gastrointestinal motility. Peristaltic activity of distal colonic segments was studied in vitro using a modified Trendelenburg set-up. Cytokine profiles of T-lymphocytes isolated from the colon were determined by real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: Intracolonic injection of TNBS caused severe colitis. Treatment with S. mansoni proteins significantly ameliorated colonic inflammation after 5 d. TNBS did not affect gastric emptying but significantly decreased the geometric center and impaired colonic peristaltic activity 5 d after the induction of colitis. Treatment with S. mansoni proteins ameliorated these in vivo and in vitro motility disturbances. In addition, TNBS injection caused a downregulation of effector T cell cytokines after 5 d, whereas a S. mansoni protein effect was no longer observed at this time point.

CONCLUSION: Treatment with S. man­soni proteins attenuated intestinal inflammation and ameliorated motility disturbances during murine experi­mental colitis.

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