Enzyme mimetic reduces tissue damage in colitis an...( ings or fistulas develop in the intes...)

In the study, researchers evaluated the effects of M40403 on inflammatory bowel disease and symptoms. Comparing treated animals to untreated animals:

Colonic tissue damage, as evaluated histologically, was substantially reduced.

Inflammation was reduced, as confirmed by a significant increase in both colon and spleen weights.

TNF-a and IL-1b levels were reduced to near normal.

Adhesion molecule expression in the intestinal wall was reduced.

Diarrhea and body weight loss were markedly reduced.

The results of this study echo those from another MetaPhore study looking at rheumatoid arthritis published this month in Arthritis & Rheumatism. In that study, an SOD mimetic was highly effective, not only at treating inflammation, but also preventing joint damage and reducing elevated cytokine levels to near normal in animal models of arthritis. These preclinical findings bode well for the potential of SOD mimetics as clinical candidates for inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis, said Daniela Salvemini, Ph.D., MetaPhores Vice President of Pharmacology and the principal investigator. The protective effects observed in this model appear to be a result of the SOD mimetics ability to inhibit superoxide and cytokine production, consistent with earlier research and our recent positive preclinical outcomes in models of arthritis.

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Contact: Punnie Donohue
pdonohue@kupperparker.com
314-290-2014
Kupper Parker Communications
12-Dec-2001